Engineered botulinum neurotoxin

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides with a modified BoNT/B4 receptor binding domain (B4-HC) having amino acid mutations that modify the binding of the BoNT to the human SytII receptor. Specific mutations and combinations of mutations are disclosed. Isolated modified HCs, polypeptides comprising such modified HCs, chimeric molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. Methods of identifying additional such modified receptor binding domains, are further disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2017/048508, filed Aug. 24, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/378,967, filed Aug. 24, 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT

This invention was made with Government support under NIH 1R21NS082830 awarded by the National Institute of Health. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present specification makes reference to a Sequence Listing (submitted electronically as a .txt file named “0342941_0602_SL.TXT” on Feb. 20, 2019). The .txt file was generated on Aug. 22, 2017, and is 106,905 bytes in size. The entire contents of the Sequence Listing are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of modified neurotoxins and their use for treating medical and/or aesthetic disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Botulinum neurotoxins are a family of bacterial toxins, including seven major serotypes (BoNT/A-G) (1). These toxins act by blocking neurotransmitter release from neurons, thus paralyzing animals and humans. In recent years, BoNTs have been widely used to treat a growing list of medical conditions: local injections of minute amount of toxins can attenuate neuronal activity in targeted regions, which can be beneficial in many medical conditions as well as for cosmetic purposes (7-9).

BoNT/A and BoNT/B are the only two BoNTs that are currently FDA-approved for use in humans (7-9). These are toxins purified from bacteria without any sequence modifications (defined as wild type, WT). As the application of BoNTs grows, limitations and adverse effects have been reported. The major limitation is the generation of neutralizing antibodies in patients, which renders future treatment ineffective (11). Termination of BoNT usage often leaves patients with no other effective ways to treat/relieve their disorders. The possibility of antibody responses is directly related to both toxin doses and the frequency of injection (11). Therefore, this limitation mainly occurs in treating muscle spasms, which involves relatively high doses of toxins.

The major adverse effects are often associated with treating muscle spasms, but not cosmetic applications. This is because the adverse effects are largely due to diffusion of toxins to other regions of the body, and the possibility of toxin diffusion is directly related to injected doses. The adverse effects range from transient non-serious events such as ptosis and diplopia to life-threatening events, and even death. In a petition letter filed in 2008 by Dr. Sidney Wolfe to the FDA, a total of 180 serious adverse events, including 16 deaths have been documented. As a result, FDA now requires a “Black box warning” on all BoNT products, highlighting the risk of the spread of toxins, following similar warnings issued by the European Union.

Because both the generation of neutralizing antibodies and toxin diffusion are directly related to injected doses, lowering toxin doses (while maintaining the same levels of toxin activity) is highly desired, which means the efficacy of individual toxin molecules has to be enhanced. Such modified BoNTs with improved specificity for neurons will also reduce any potential off-target effects due to non-specific entry into other cell types.

BoNTs target and enter neurons by binding to their specific receptors through their receptor binding domains, which are well-defined in the literature (BoNT-H_(C), FIG. 1A, B)¹. Receptor binding dictates the efficacy and specificity of BoNTs to recognize neurons. Improving the receptor binding ability of BoNTs will enhance their efficacy and specificity to target neurons. The receptors for most BoNTs have been identified (FIG. 1C). BoNT/B, D-C, and G share two homologous synaptic vesicle proteins, synaptotagmin I and II (Syt I/II) as their receptors¹³⁻¹⁸, while BoNT/A, E, D, and F use another synaptic vesicle protein, SV2. In addition to protein receptors, all BoNTs require lipid co-receptor gangliosides (FIG. 1D), which are abundant on neuronal surfaces²⁷. Among the two Syt isoforms Syt II has ˜10-fold higher binding affinity for BoNT/B than Syt I and is also the dominant isoform expressed in motor nerve terminals, which are the targeted neurons for BoNTs (FIG. 2A). Therefore, Syt II is considered the major toxin receptor for BoNT/B, D-C, and G, while Syt I is a minor toxin receptor at motor nerve terminals. This is the case in rodents and likely in the majority of mammals.

One may argue that BoNTs already have high specificity to neurons, and ask is it possible to further improve their binding to neurons? The answer is a “Yes” for humans, at least in part in light of the recent discovery that the human Syt II has greatly diminished binding and function as the receptor for BoNT/B due to a unique amino acid change from rodent (rat/mouse) Syt II within the toxin binding site. This is a change from phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L) at position 54 (mouse Syt II sequence) (as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,598,685, FIG. 2B). Sequence alignments have revealed that phenylalanine at this position is highly conserved in both Syt I and Syt II across vertebrates, including platypus, fish, rodents, and monkeys⁴⁸. Only human and chimpanzee Syt II contains leucine at this position. As a result of this residue change, human and chimpanzee Syt II has greatly diminished binding to BoNT/B, D-C, and G (as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,598,685, FIG. 2C) and is significantly less efficient in mediating the entry of BoNT/B (as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,598,685, FIG. 2D), as compared to mouse Syt II. Since human and chimpanzee Syt I still contains phenylalanine at the same position and can bind BoNT/B, D-C, and G (as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,598,685, FIG. 2E), the high affinity receptor for BoNT/B, D-C, and G in humans is restricted to the minor receptor Syt I. These findings provide an explanation for the clinical observations that a much higher dose of BoNT/B than BoNT/A (which binds a different receptor) is needed to achieve the same levels of therapeutic effects in patients. Previously these observations were attributed to other reasons, such as the percentage of active neurotoxin in the preparations used. The recent observations of such binding differences of BoNT/B to human Syt II versus Syt II of other species suggests that different residues of BoNT/B may be involved in binding to human Syt II. As such, sequence modification to BoNT/B that is expected to affect binding to rodent SytII may have unpredictable effects on BoNT/B binding to human Syt II.

Thus there is a need to improve binding of BoNT/B to human receptor Syt II, as a way to increase its efficacy and specificity to target human neurons and decrease the toxin doses needed in therapeutic applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins have found use in medicine, both for the treatment of pathologic conditions and for cosmetic purposes. The wild-type C. botulinum serotype B, strain 4 polypeptide does not bind human SytII receptor with high affinity or result in efficient inhibition of unwanted neuronal activity. Described herein are site-directed mutations to the serotype B, strain 4 (BoNT/B4) receptor-binding domain that dramatically increase the ability of the modified receptor binding domain (BoNT/B4 H_(c)) to bind the human SytII receptor. The increased binding of the modified BoNT/B4 H_(c) domain to the hSytII receptor increases the ability of BoNT polypeptides including that domain to inhibit neuronal activity, and renders BoNT polypeptides comprising such domain considerably more effective and less likely to provoke an unwanted immune response for therapeutic, as well as cosmetic uses.

In one aspect, then, described herein is a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising: a) a protease domain; b) a protease cleavage site; c) a translocation domain; and d) a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) that binds human SytII.

In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of the BoNT polypeptide comprises substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of the BoNT polypeptide further comprises one or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, selected from the group consisting of: Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, Q1191M, Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the modified (B4-H_(c)) comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, selected from the group consisting of: Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, Q1191M, Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, and Y1183P.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) polypeptide further comprises two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, and Q1191Y.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) polypeptide further comprises two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, wherein one of the substitution mutations corresponds to Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, Y1199F or Y1199L in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) polypeptide further comprises two substitution mutations, selected from the substitution mutations corresponding to Q1191M and W1178Q, Q1191C and W1178Q, Q1191V and W1178Q, Q1191L and W1178Q, Q1191Y and W1178Q, Q1191M and Y1183P, Q1191M and Y1183C, Q1191C and Y1183P, Q1191C and Y1183C, Q1191V and Y1183P, Q1191V and Y1183C, Q1191L and Y1183P, Q1191L and Y1183C, Q1191Y and Y1183P, Q1191Y and Y1183C, W1178Q and Y1183P, and W1178Q and Y1183C in serotype B, strain 4. In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) polypeptide further comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to Q1191M and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 4. In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) polypeptide further comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to Q1191M and W1183P in serotype B, strain 4. In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) polypeptide further comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to Q1191M and W1183C in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) polypeptide further comprises three substitution mutations. In another embodiment, the three further substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to Q1191, W1178 and Y1183 of serotype B, strain 4. In another embodiment, the three further substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M, W1178Q and Y1183P of serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain further comprises a substitution mutation corresponding to a substitution mutation in serotype B, strain 4, selected from the group consisting of: Q1191C; Q1191V; Q1191L; Q1191Y; Q1191M; Y1199W; Y1199E; and Y1199H.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain further comprises a substitution mutation corresponding to the substitution mutation Q1191M in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain further comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to a substitution mutation in serotype B, strain 4, selected from the group consisting of: a first mutation selected from Q1191C; Q1191; Q1191L; Q1191Y; and Q1191M; and a second mutation selected from: Y1199W; Y1199E; and Y1199H.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain further comprises one or more substitution mutations corresponding to a substitution mutation in serotype B, strain 4, selected from the group consisting of: W1178Y; W1178Q; W1178A; W1178S; Y1183C; Y1183P and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to Q1191M and Y1199W, Q1191M and W1178Q, Q1191C and Y1199W, Q1191C and W1178Q, Q1191V and Y1199W, or Q1191V and W1178Q, in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations at positions that correspond to Q1191, W1178, and Y1183 of serotype B, strain 4. In another embodiment, the three substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M, W1178Q and Y1183C of serotype B, strain 4.

Also provided herein is a nucleic acid encoding a BoNT polypeptide as described in any aspect or embodiment herein, or a nucleic acid vector comprising such nucleic acid, operably linked to sequences that permit expression of the BoNT polypeptide. Also provided herein is a cell comprising such nucleic acid or nucleic acid vector, and/or a cell expressing such a BoNT polypeptide.

In another aspect, described herein is a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising: a) a protease domain; b) a protease cleavage site; c) a translocation domain; and d) a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)), comprising substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P, and further comprising a substitution mutation at a position corresponding to S1201 of serotype B, strain 4.

In one embodiment of any of the preceding aspects, the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site of the BoNT polypeptide are from a serotype selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment of any of the preceding aspects, the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from serotype B, strain 1.

In another embodiment of any of the preceding aspects, the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from serotype A, strain 1.

In another embodiment, the protease cleavage site is from serotype A, serotype B, or is a chimeric cleavage site of serotypes A and B.

In another aspect, described herein is a polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 heavy chain (B4-H_(c)) that binds human SytII.

In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain comprises substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain further comprises one or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, selected from the group consisting of: Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, Q1191M, Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the modified (B4-H_(c)) comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, selected from the group consisting of: Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, Q1191M, Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, and Y1183P.

In another embodiment, the modified B4-H_(c) further comprises two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, and Q1191Y.

In another embodiment, the modified B4-H_(c) further comprises two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, wherein one of the substitution mutations corresponds to Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, Y1199F or Y1199L in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified B4-H_(c) further comprises two substitution mutations, selected from the substitution mutations corresponding to Q1191M and W1178Q, Q1191C and W1178Q, Q1191V and W1178Q, Q1191L and W1178Q, Q1191Y and W1178Q, Q1191M and Y1183P, Q1191M and Y1183C, Q1191C and Y1183P, Q1191C and Y1183C, Q1191V and Y1183P, Q1191V and Y1183C, Q1191L and Y1183P, Q1191L and Y1183C, Q1191Y and Y1183P, Q1191Y and Y1183C, W1178Q and Y1183P, and W1178Q and Y1183C in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the two substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the two substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M and W1183P in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the two substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M and W1183C in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified (B4-H_(c)) further comprises three substitution mutations. In another embodiment, the three further substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to Q1191, W1178 and Y1183 of serotype B, strain 4. In another embodiment, the three further substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M, W1178Q and Y1183P of serotype B, strain 4.

In another aspect, described herein is a chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) linked to a second portion, wherein the modified B4-H_(c) binds to human SytII.

In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) comprises substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P.

In another embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) further comprises one or more substitution mutations selected from the group consisting of: Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the modified B4-H_(c) further comprises two substitution mutations selected from the group consisting of: Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C and Y1183P.

In another aspect, described herein is a chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B, strain 4 (B4-H_(c)) linked to a second portion, wherein the modified B4-H_(c) comprises two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4 and binds human SytII, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of: Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, and Q1191Y.

In one embodiment, one of the substitution mutations corresponds to W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, or Y1183P in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, two substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M and W1178Q, Q1191C and W1178Q, Q1191V and W1178Q, Q1191L and W1178Q, Q1191Y and W1178Q, Q1191M and Y1183P, Q1191M and Y1183C, Q1191C and Y1183P, Q1191C and Y1183C, Q1191V and Y1183P, Q1191V and Y1183C, Q1191L and Y1183P, Q1191L and Y1183C, Q1191Y and Y1183P, Q1191Y and Y1183C, W1178Q and Y1183P, and W1178Q and Y1183C in serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations. In another embodiment, the three substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to Q1191, W1178 and Y1183 of serotype B, strain 4. In another embodiment, the three substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M, W1178Q and Y1183P of serotype B, strain 4.

In another embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are linked covalently.

In another embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are linked non-covalently.

In another embodiment, the second portion is selected from the group consisting of a small molecule, a nucleic acid, a short polypeptide and a protein.

In another embodiment, the second portion is a bioactive molecule.

In another embodiment, the second portion is a therapeutic polypeptide or non-polypeptide drug.

In another aspect, described herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide or chimeric molecule as described herein, or comprising a nucleic acid or nucleic acid vector encoding a BoNT polypeptide as described herein.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In another aspect, described herein is a kit comprising a pharmaceutical composition as described herein. The kit can include directions for therapeutic administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

In another aspect, described herein is a method to produce a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide, the method comprising the steps of culturing a cell as described herein that comprises a nucleic acid or nucleic acid vector encoding a BoNT polypeptide or chimeric BoNT polypeptide as described herein under conditions wherein said BoNT polypeptide or chimeric BoNT polypeptide is produced.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises one or more of the following steps: recovering the BoNT polypeptide from the culture; purifying the BoNT polypeptide; activating the BoNT polypeptide; or formulating the BoNT polypeptide.

In another aspect, described herein is a method for treating a condition associated with unwanted neuronal activity, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a BoNT polypeptide or chimeric BoNT polypeptide as described herein, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a polypeptide, to a subject to thereby contact one or more neurons exhibiting unwanted neuronal activity, to thereby treat the condition.

In one embodiment, the condition is selected from the group consisting of, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, laryngeal dystonia, oromandibular dysphonia, lingual dystonia, cervical dystonia, focal hand dystonia, blepharospasm, strabismus, hemifacial spasm, eyelid disorder, cerebral palsy, focal spasticity and other voice disorders, spasmodic colitis, neurogenic bladder, anismus, limb spasticity, tics, tremors, bruxism, anal fissure, achalasia, dysphagia and other muscle tone disorders and other disorders characterized by involuntary movements of muscle groups, lacrimation, hyperhydrosis, excessive salivation, excessive gastrointestinal secretions, secretory disorders, pain from muscle spasms, headache pain, migraine, and dermatological or aesthetic/cosmetic conditions.

In another aspect, described herein is a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide as described herein, a chimeric BoNT polypeptide as described herein, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a BoNT polypeptide or chimeric polypeptide, for use in medicine.

In another aspect, described herein is a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide as described herein, a chimeric BoNT polypeptide as described herein, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a BoNT polypeptide or chimeric polypeptide, for use in treating a condition associated with unwanted neuronal activity.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “binding affinity” refers to the strength of a molecule's binding activity for a particular receptor system. In general, high binding affinity results from greater intermolecular force between a binding domain and its receptor system while low binding affinity involves less intermolecular force between the ligand and its receptor. High binding affinity involves a longer residence time for the binding domain at its receptor binding site than is the case for low binding affinity. As such, a molecule with a high binding affinity means a lower concentration of that molecule is required to maximally occupy the binding sites of a receptor system and trigger a physiological response. Conversely, low binding affinity means a relatively high concentration of a molecule is required before the receptor binding sites of a receptor system is maximally occupied and the maximum physiological response is achieved. Thus, a botulinum neurotoxin as described herein with increased binding activity due to high binding affinity will allow administration of reduced doses of the toxin, thereby reducing or preventing unwanted side-effects associated with toxin dispersal into non-targeted areas.

One parameter that is often used to measure the binding affinity is defined as binding K_(D). Because K_(D) is defined as the ratio between dissociation constant (K_(off)) and association constant (K_(on)), the lower the K_(D) value, the higher the binding affinity.

As the term is used herein, “significantly enhanced binding” when used to describe the binding affinity of a C. botulinum neurotoxin molecule or BoNT/B-Hc domain or receptor-binding fragment thereof described herein to a specific receptor (e.g., human Syt II or human Syt I), refers to an increase in binding affinity for a specific receptor that is substantially increased (e.g., by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the binding affinity of the wild type molecule) as compared to the non-substituted version of the molecule. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding of the substituted molecule is demonstrated by a binding affinity that is an order of magnitude or more than the binding affinity of the non-substituted molecule (e.g., the neurotoxin with a naturally occurring BoNT H_(C) molecule). Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is an order of magnitude or more lower than the K_(D) of the non-substituted molecule In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a binding affinity that is significantly higher (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the binding affinity of the non-substituted molecule. Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is significantly lower (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the K_(D) of the non-substituted molecule. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding demonstrated is in the range of about 0.59 μM to 5.82 μM K_(D). In one embodiment, the enhanced binding demonstrated is in the range of about 0.59 μM to 4.3 μM K_(D). In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D)≤5.82 μM. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D)≤4.30 μM. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D)≤2.9 μM. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D) of about 0.59 μM.

In one embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt II is ≤10 μM, preferably ≤9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 μM, more preferably ≤1 or 0.6 μM. In one embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt I is ≤10 μM, preferably ≤9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 μM, more preferably ≤3 μM. In one embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt II is ≤7 μM and the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt I is ≤6 μM. In a preferred embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt II is ≤1 μM and the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt I is ≤3 μM.

In one embodiment, enhanced binding results in detectable binding to human Syt I in the absence of co-receptor gangliosides, such as exemplified by the experiments described herein.

The term “significantly enhanced binding” or “significantly reduced binding” when used to describe the binding affinity of a BoNT/B-H_(C) binding fragment produced by the point mutations described herein refers to an increase or decrease, respectively, in binding affinity of the modified binding domain (e.g., expressed as an isolated fragment or in the context of a larger neurotoxin polypeptide construct) to a specific receptor (e.g., human Syt II or human Syt I) as discussed directly above.

As the term is used herein, “significantly reduced binding” when used to describe the binding affinity of botulinum neurotoxin molecule or binding fragment thereof (e.g., BoNT/B-Hc) described herein to a specific receptor (e.g., human Syt I or human Syt II), refers to a decrease in binding affinity for the specific receptor that is substantially decreased (e.g., by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the binding affinity of the wild type molecule) as compared to the non-substituted version of the molecule. In one embodiment, the decreased binding of the substituted molecule results in a binding affinity that is an order of magnitude or more less than the binding affinity of the non-substituted neurotoxin (e.g., the neurotoxin with a naturally occurring BoNT H_(C) molecule). Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is an order of magnitude or more higher than the K_(D) of the non-substituted neurotoxin. In one embodiment, the reduced binding of the substituted molecule results in a binding affinity that is significantly lower (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the binding affinity of the non-substituted molecule. Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is significantly higher (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the K_(D) of the non-substituted molecule. In one embodiment, significantly reduced binding results in loss of detectable binding to human Syt I in the absence of co-receptor gangliosides.

As used herein, the term “botulinum neurotoxin” means any polypeptide that can execute the overall cellular mechanism whereby a C. botulinum toxin enters a neuron and inhibits neurotransmitter release. This mechanism encompasses the binding of a C. botulinum toxin to a low or high affinity receptor complex, the internalization of the toxin, the translocation of the toxin light chain into the cytoplasm and the enzymatic modification of a C. botulinum toxin substrate. The terms “polypeptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein, in reference to the C. botulinum neurotoxin molecule and fragments thereof.

A “modified receptor binding domain” or “modified H_(C)”, as the term is used herein, facilitates the binding of the C. botulinum neurotoxin molecule in which it is comprised, to a receptor for C. botulinum neurotoxin located on the surface of a target cell. Such a molecule is typically generated through genetic recombination technology. The modified H_(C) has a binding activity for the receptor for C. botulinum neurotoxin located on the surface of a target cell. As used herein, the term “binding activity” means that one molecule is directly or indirectly contacting another molecule via at least one intermolecular or intramolecular force, including, without limitation, a covalent bond, an ionic bond, a metallic bond, a hydrogen bond, a hydrophobic interaction, a van der Waals interaction, and the like, or any combination thereof. “Bound” and “bind” are considered terms for binding.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum toxin protease domain” means a C. botulinum toxin domain that can execute the enzymatic target modification step of the intoxication process. Thus, a C. botulinum toxin protease domain specifically targets a C. botulinum toxin substrate and encompasses the proteolytic cleavage of a C. botulinum toxin substrate, e.g., SNARE proteins like a SNAP-25 substrate, a VAMP substrate and a Syntaxin substrate.

Non-limiting examples of C. botulinum toxin protease domains are provided in Tables 1.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum toxin translocation domain” or “H_(N)” means a C. botulinum toxin domain that can execute the translocation step of the intoxication process that mediates C. botulinum toxin light chain translocation. Thus, a H_(N) facilitates the movement of a C. botulinum toxin light chain across a membrane and encompasses the movement of a C. botulinum toxin light chain through the membrane of an intracellular vesicle into the cytoplasm of a cell. Non-limiting examples of a H_(N) include a BoNT/A H_(N), a BoNT/B H_(N), a BoNT/C1 H_(N), a BoNT/D H_(N), a BoNT/E H_(N), a BoNT/F H_(N), and a BoNT/G H_(N), the amino acid sequences of which are provided in Table 1 and FIG. 8 and FIG. 10-FIG. 16.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum receptor-binding domain” is synonymous with “H_(C) domain” and means any naturally occurring C. botulinum receptor binding domain that can execute the cell binding step of the intoxication process, including, e.g., the binding of the C. botulinum toxin to a C. botulinum toxin-specific receptor system located on the plasma membrane surface of a target cell. It is envisioned that replacement of the binding activity can be achieved by, e.g., replacing the entire C. botulinum H_(C) domain with a modified (e.g., enhanced) H_(C) domain.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum toxin target cell” means a cell that is a naturally occurring cell that a naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin is capable of intoxicating, including, without limitation, motor neurons; sensory neurons; autonomic neurons; e.g., sympathetic neurons and parasympathetic neurons; non-peptidergic neurons, such as, e.g., cholinergic neurons, adrenergic neurons, noradrenergic neurons, serotonergic neurons, GABAergic neurons; and peptidergic neurons, such as, e.g., Substance P neurons, Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide neurons, vasoactive intestinal peptide neurons, Neuropeptide Y neurons and cholecystokinin neurons.

By “isolated” is meant a material that is free to varying degrees from components which normally accompany it as found in its native state. “Isolate” denotes a degree of separation from original source or surroundings, e.g. from flanking amino acids (e.g., in the context of an isolated polypeptide fragment), or from a cell or biological sample.

The term “purified” is used to refer to a substance such as a polypeptide that is “substantially pure”, with respect to other components of a preparation (e.g., other polypeptides). It can refer to a polypeptide that is at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, or 75%, preferably at least about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, and most preferably at least about 95% pure, with respect to other components. Recast, the terms “substantially pure” or “essentially purified”, with regard to a polypeptide, refers to a preparation that contains fewer than about 20%, more preferably fewer than about 15%, 10%, 8%, 7%, most preferably fewer than about 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less than 1%, of one or more other components (e.g., other polypeptides or cellular components).

The term “conservative” or “conservative substitution mutation” as used herein refers to a mutation where an amino acid is substituted for another amino acid that has similar properties, such that one skilled in the art of peptide chemistry would expect the secondary structure, chemical properties, and/or hydropathic nature of the polypeptide to be substantially unchanged. The following groups of amino acids have been historically substituted for one another as conservative changes: (1) ala, pro, gly, glu, asp, gln, asn, ser, thr; (2) cys, ser, try, thr; (3) val, ile, leu, met, ala, phe; (4) lys, arg, his; and (5) phe, tyr, trp, his. Other commonly accepted conservative substitutions are listed below:

Residue Conservative Substitutions Ala Ser Arg Lys Asn Gln; His Asp Glu Gln Asn Cys Ser Glu Asp Gly Pro His Asn; Gln Ile Leu, Val Leu Ile; Val Lys Arg; Gln Met Leu; Ile Phe Met; Leu; Tyr Ser Thr; Gly Thr Ser; Val Trp Tyr Tyr Trp; Phe Val Ile; Leu

The term “substitution mutation” without the reference to a specific amino acid, may include any amino acid other than the wild type residue normally found at that position. Such substitutions may be replacement with non-polar (hydrophobic) amino acids, such as glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and proline. Substitutions may be replacement with polar (hydrophilic) amino acids such as serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine. Substitutions may be replacement with electrically charged amino acids e.g., negatively electrically charged amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid and positively electrically charged amino acids such as lysine, arginine, and histidine.

The substitution mutations described herein will typically be replacement with a different naturally occurring amino acid residue, but in some cases non-naturally occurring amino acid residues may also be substituted. Non-natural amino acids, as the term is used herein, are non-proteinogenic (i.e., non-protein coding) amino acids that either occur naturally or are chemically synthesized. Examples include but are not limited to β-amino acids (β3 and β2), homo-amino acids, proline and pyruvic acid derivatives, 3-substituted alanine derivatives, glycine derivatives, ring-substituted phenylalanine and tyrosine derivatives, linear core amino acids, diamino acids, D-amino acids, and N-methyl amino acids. In some embodiments, the amino acid can be substituted or unsubstituted. The substituted amino acid or substituent can be a halogenated aromatic or aliphatic amino acid, a halogenated aliphatic or aromatic modification on the hydrophobic side chain, or an aliphatic or aromatic modification.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount that is sufficient to effect a therapeutically significant reduction in one or more symptoms of the condition when administered to a typical subject who has the condition. A therapeutically significant reduction in a symptom is, e.g. about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 100%, or more as compared to a control or non-treated subject.

The term “treat” or “treatment” refers to therapeutic treatment wherein the object is to eliminate or lessen symptoms. Beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are not limited to, elimination of symptoms, alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of extent of condition, stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of condition, delay or slowing of progression of the condition.

As used herein, a “subject” refers to a human or animal. Usually the animal is a vertebrate such as a primate, rodent, domestic animal or game animal. Primates include chimpanzees, cynomologous monkeys, spider monkeys, and macaques, e.g., Rhesus. Rodents include mice, rats, woodchucks, ferrets, rabbits and hamsters. Domestic and game animals include cows, horses, pigs, deer, bison, buffalo, feline species, e.g., domestic cat, canine species, e.g., dog, fox, wolf, avian species, e.g., chicken, emu, ostrich, and fish, e.g., trout, catfish and salmon. Patient or subject includes any subset of the foregoing, e.g., all of the above, but excluding one or more groups or species such as humans, primates or rodents. In certain embodiments of the aspects described herein, the subject is a mammal, e.g., a primate, e.g., a human. The terms, “patient” and “subject” are used interchangeably herein. A subject can be male or female. A subject can be a fully developed subject (e.g., an adult) or a subject undergoing the developmental process (e.g., a child, infant or fetus).

Preferably, the subject is a mammal. The mammal can be a human, non-human primate, mouse, rat, dog, cat, horse, or cow, but are not limited to these examples. Mammals other than humans can be advantageously used as subjects that represent animal models of disorders associated with unwanted neuronal activity. In addition, the methods and compositions described herein can be used to treat domesticated animals and/or pets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing (s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1A-FIG. 1D. (published data for background) shows schematic models for how BoNTs target neurons (FIG. 1A), their overall protein structure (FIG. 1B), a list of identified receptors (FIG. 1C), and the structural model for BoNT/B binding to its receptors Syt and gangliosides (FIG. 1D). (FIG. 1A) A schematic view of BoNT actions: BoNTs recognize neurons by binding to their specific receptors (step 1), enter neurons via receptor-mediated endocytosis (step 2), the light chains of BoNTs then translocate across endosomal membranes into the cytosol (step 3), where these light chains act as proteases to cleave target host proteins (step 4). FIG. 1A is adapted from Arnon, S. et al, JAMA, 285:1059, 2001²⁴. (FIG. 1B) BoNTs are composed of a light chain and a heavy chain, connected via a disulfide bond. The heavy chain can be further divided into two domains: the translocation domain (H_(N)) and the receptor binding domain (H_(C)). These functional domains are switchable between different BoNTs. For instance, BoNT/B-H_(C) can be used to replace BoNT/A-H_(C) to generate chimeric toxins. (FIG. 1C) A list of identified toxins receptors. (FIG. 1D) A structural model showing binding of BoNT/B to its protein receptor, Syt (I/II), as well as its lipid co-receptor, gangliosides, on the cell surface. FIG. 1D is adapted from Chai et al, Nature, 444:1096, 2006³¹.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2E. Bacterial two-hybrid (BACTH) screen identified point-mutations that enhanced BoNT/B binding to h-Syt II. (FIG. 2A) Upper panel: sequence alignment of the BoNT/B binding sites in human Syt II (h-Syt II, SEQ ID NO: 6) versus mouse Syt II (m-Syt II, SEQ ID NO: 5). Lower panel: A close-up view of the interface between H_(C)B and Syt II: targeted residues in BoNT/B for mutagenesis studies are labeled in green (light grey). Syt II residues are marked in purple (dark grey), with F54, F55, and 158 highlighted (within boxes). (FIG. 2B) A schematic illustration for construction of H_(C)B mutant libraries and the BATCH assay. (FIG. 2C) A list of the positive mutations identified in the BATCH assay, which resulted in blue colonies. (FIG. 2D) H_(C)B mutants listed in panel C were further analyzed by β-Galactosidase activity assay, which reflects the levels of reconstituted adenylate cyclase. (n=6, *p<0.05). (FIG. 2E) H_(C)B mutations at the E1191 sites were examined in pull-down assays, using immobilized m-Syt II (residues 1-87) or a mouse Syt II (1-87) containing F54L mutation that mimics h-Syt II sequence (designated as h-Syt II). Bound H_(C)B variants was detected by immunoblotting analysis detecting the HA tag fused to H_(C)B. Additional H_(C)B mutations are shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 21.

FIG. 3A-FIG. 3C. Combinational mutations in H_(C)B enhanced its binding to h-Syt II and Syt I. (FIG. 3A) H_(C)B double mutations were examined in pull-down assays for their abilities to bind m-Syt II versus h-Syt II. Three double mutations that showed robust binding to h-Syt II were marked in red (bolded). (FIG. 3B) Binding of H_(C)B to h-Syt II was quantified by BLI assays. A representative association and dissociation curve were shown for WT H_(C)B and three H_(C)B mutants: E1191M/S1199Y, E1191V/S1199W, and E1191C/S1199W. Binding parameters for all 12 double mutations are listed in Table 4, and their representative binding traces are shown in FIG. 19. (FIG. 3C) Binding of WT H_(C)B, H_(C)B (E1191M), and H_(C)B (E1191M/S1199Y) to immobilized GST tagged h-Syt I (residues 1-80) were examined in pull-down assays, with (+) and without (−) gangliosides (Gangl). Binding of WT H_(C)B to h-Syt I requires the presence of the co-receptor gangliosides, while H_(C)B (E1191M) and H_(C)B (E1191M/S1199Y) bind to h-Syt I in the absence of gangliosides.

FIG. 4A-FIG. 4B. H_(C)B_(MY) showed a robust binding to humanized neurons that express h-Syt II. (FIG. 4A) Humanized neurons were created by KD of endogenous Syt I and expressing full-length h-Syt II in cultured rat cortical neurons. Neurons that express full-length m-Syt II or m-Syt II (F54L) served as additional controls. These neurons were exposed to WT H_(C)B, followed by immunostaining analysis. Bound H_(C)B was detected via a HA-tag fused to H_(C)B. Synapsin was labeled as a marker for presynaptic terminals. WT H_(C)B bound to synapses of WT neurons but not Syt I KD neurons. Expression of full-length m-Syt II via lentiviral transduction restored binding of H_(C)B, while expression of full-length m-Syt II (F54L) or full-length h-Syt II failed to rescue binding. (FIG. 4B) Syt I KD abolished binding of H_(C)B_(MY) to neurons. The binding was rescued by expression of full length m-Syt II, m-Syt II (F54L), or h-Syt II.

FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C. BoNT/B_(MY) displayed enhanced efficacy on blocking neurotransmission in humanized neurons. (FIG. 5A) Humanized neurons were created as described in FIG. 4A. These neurons were exposed to a gradient of concentrations of full-length WT BoNT/B or BoNT/B_(MY) for 24 hours. Cell lysates were harvested and subjected to immunoblotting analysis. β-tubulin served as an internal loading control. BoNT/B_(MY) cleaved more VAMP2 than WT BoNT/B at the same concentrations, indicating that BoNT/B_(MY) entered neurons more efficiently than WT BoNT/B. (FIG. 5B-FIG. 5C) Humanized neurons were exposed to a gradient of concentrations of WT BoNT/B or BoNT/B_(MY) for 24 hours and then the mIPSC activity was recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp approach. Panel B (FIG. 5B) showed representative mIPSC recordings at 30 pM toxins. Panel C (FIG. 5C) depicted the mIPSC activities versus toxin concentrations, normalized to neurons that were not exposed to any toxins. The number of recorded neurons for each data point were noted in the (parentheses). The same number of neurons was recorded for WT BoNT/B and BoNT/B_(MY). The half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was determined to be 89 pM for WT BoNT/B and 7.8 pM for BoNT/B_(MY), demonstrating that enhancing binding to human receptors increased efficacy of toxin at functional levels in neurons.

FIG. 6A-FIG. 6D. Sequence variations in BoNT/B subtypes influence their ability to bind h-Syt II. (FIG. 6A) Sequence alignment of BoNT/B subtypes in the region around residues E1191/S1199 in BoNT/B, including BoNT/B1 (SEQ ID NO: 9); BoNT/B2 (SEQ ID NO: 10); BoNT/B3 (SEQ ID NO: 11); BoNT/B4 (SEQ ID NO: 12); BoNT/B5 (SEQ ID NO: 13); BoNT/B6 (SEQ ID NO: 14); BoNT/B7 (SEQ ID NO: 15); BoNT/B8 (SEQ ID NO: 16). (FIG. 6B) H_(C)B4, which contains Q1191 and Y1199, did not bind to h-Syt II in pull-down assays. (FIG. 6C) There are six residues that are different between H_(C)B4 and H_(C)B within the 19 key residues that form the binding pocket for Syt I/II. Replacing all six residues in H_(C)B4 with the corresponding residues in H_(C)B created a mutant H_(C)B4 (designated as “six mutations”: V1113K/S1117P/S1196A/I1197P/A1182T/N1185Y) that can bind to h-Syt II. A sequence alignment between H_(C)B1 and H_(C)B4 is shown in FIG. 7. (FIG. 6D) Binding of H_(C)B and H_(C)B4 to immobilized GST-tagged h-Syt I was examined in pull-down assays. Binding of H_(C)B to h-Syt I requires the presence of gangliosides, while H_(C)B4 is capable of binding to h-Syt I without gangliosides in pull-down assays.

FIG. 7. Alignment of H_(C) domain of BoNT/B1 (SEQ ID NO: 17) and BoNT/B4 (SEQ ID NO: 18) amino acid sequences. Alignment of the H_(C) domain polypeptide sequences of BoNT/B1 and B4 highlights those amino acids that differ between these two strains of the B serotype. B4 amino acids V1113, S1117, S1196 and I1197 are identified herein as residues that modulate the ability of the B4 H_(C) domain to bind the human SytII molecule. FIG. 7 also confirms what is already shown in Table 5 by indicating the 19 key residues forming the Syt II-binding pocket with asterisks.

FIG. 8 is the amino acid sequence of the BoNT/B-H_(C) (strain 1; BoNT/B1 Okra strain). Residues 857-1291 of BoNT/B, strain 1, GenBank: AB232927.1, (SEQ ID NO: 19).

FIG. 9 is the nucleic acid sequence encoding BoNT/B-H_(C) (strain B1, Okra strain) residues 857-1291 of BoNT/B, strain 1, based on GenBank: AB232927.1), which has been optimized for expression in E. coli (SEQ ID NO: 20).

FIG. 10 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype A (1296 a.a.) (SEQ ID NO: 21).

FIG. 11 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype B (1291 a.a.) (SEQ ID NO: 22).

FIG. 12 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype C1 (1291 a.a.) (SEQ ID NO: 23).

FIG. 13 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype D (1276 a.a.) (SEQ ID NO: 24).

FIG. 14 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype E (1252 a.a.) (SEQ ID NO: 25).

FIG. 15 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype F (1274 a.a.) (SEQ ID NO: 26).

FIG. 16 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype G (1297 a.a.) (SEQ ID NO: 27).

FIG. 17 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype B, Strain Eklund 17B (BoNT/B4) Genbank Ref: EF051570.1 (SEQ ID NO: 28).

FIG. 18 shows the effects of 13 different single substitution mutations on the binding of mutated BoNT/B1 H_(C) domain to murine and human SytII.

FIG. 19 shows bio-layer interferometry traces for binding to human SytII for all 12 combinations between the primary mutations E1191M/C/V/Q, with the compatible secondary mutations S1199W/Y and W1178Q, as well as a triple mutation E1191M/S1199W/W1178Q. The binding affinities (K_(D)) of all 12 mutants toward h-Syt II were measured using bio-layer interferometry assay (BLI), with the parameters listed in Table 4.

FIG. 20 shows BLI assay measurement of the binding affinities of the top two BoNT/B1 H_(C) domain mutants (E1191M/S1199Y and E1191V/S1199Y) for h-Syt I. H_(C)B containing E1191M/S1199Y (H_(C)B_(MY)) or E1191V/S1199Y (H_(C)B_(VY)) displayed a K_(D) of 2.9 μM and 5.82 μM, respectively.

FIG. 21 shows binding of H_(C)B mutants to m-Syt II and h-Syt II examined in pull-down assays, as described in FIG. 2E.

FIG. 22 shows mutant H_(C)B4 binding to m-Syt II and h-Syt II.

FIG. 23A-FIG. 23B shows that BoNT/B_(MY) produced in E. coli is active and can be neutralized by BoNT/B antibodies. FIG. 23A) Full-length BoNT/B and BoNT/B_(MY) were purified from E. coli. These toxins were activated by the endoproteinase Lys-C. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that WT BoNT/B toxin is −93% pure with ˜80% to be in its di-chain form, and BoNT/B_(MY) toxin is −86% pure with ˜99% in its di-chain form. FIG. 23B) Cultured rat cortical neurons were exposed to BoNT/B_(MY) (1 nM in culture medium, 16 h) that was pre-incubated with either rabbit poly-clonal anti-BoNT/B antibody (1:200 dilution in culture medium) or a trivalent horse antisera against BoNT/A, B, and E (1:40 dilution in culture medium). Neuron lysates were harvested 16 h later. Cleavage of VAMP2 was analyzed by immunoblot assays. BoNT/B_(MY) is active as it cleaved VAMP2 in neurons. Both rabbit poly-clonal anti-BoNT/B antibody and trivalent horse antisera readily neutralized BoNT/B_(MY). Actin served as an internal loading control. These results confirm that E1191M/S1199Y mutations do not change the immunogenicity of BoNT/B.

FIG. 24A-FIG. 24B shows comparisons between Syt I and Syt II and between human and mouse Syt I at the BoNT/B-binding interface. FIG. 24A) Sequence alignment and structural comparison between mouse Syt I (SEQ ID NO: 7) and Syt II (SEQ ID NO: 8). The asterisks highlight conserved residues that interact with BoNT/B, which can be seen in the modeled structure of BoNT/B (top) bound to Syt I (bottom, light grey) and Syt II (bottom, dark grey). Binding of Syt I to BoNT/B was modeled based on available BoNT/B-Syt II crystal structures (PDB: 4KBB). FIG. 24B) Sequence alignment of human Syt I (SEQ ID NO: 4) versus mouse/rat Syt I (SEQ ID NO: 29) within the BoNT/B-binding domain. The only difference, E45 in human Syt I and Q in mouse/rat-Syt I, is bolded. The model shows that the side-chain of residue 45 (indicated by the arrow) is pointing outwards from the binding site, and does not interact with BoNT/B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate to the generation of polypeptides, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum (e.g., serotype B (B-H_(c))), and more particularly to C. botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides which have improved binding to their human receptors through the incorporation of a modified receptor binding domain, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. From these findings, a new generation of therapeutic BoNTs can be created that include the modified receptor binding domains identified herein, with improved efficacy and specificity to target human neurons relative to the currently utilized WT BoNTs.

It was previously determined that the binding of BoNT/B H_(c) polypeptides to the human SytII receptor molecule can be significantly enhanced by mutations at residues corresponding to BoNT/B1 Hc residues E1191 and S1199. See PCT/US2016/024211, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In particular, mutation of the BoNT/B1 H_(C) domain at residue E1191 to Q, M, C, V, L or Y enhanced hSytII binding relative to WT. The mutation E1191M provided the most dramatic increase in binding, but E1191Q also significantly promoted binding. See, e.g., FIGS. 2D and E. The combination of the BoNT/B1 H_(c) E1191M mutation with mutation of residue S1199 to Y further increased binding of the BoNT/B1 molecule to the hSytII receptor. The double mutants showed strong binding to human neurons that express the hSytII receptor molecule, and displayed enhanced efficacy in blocking neurotransmission. See FIGS. 4 and 5.

It was noted that the BoNT serotype B4 (BoNT/B4) WT H_(c) domain includes glutamine and tyrosine at the positions corresponding to E1191 and S1199 of the serotype B1 molecule, and therefore corresponds to the E1191Q, S1199Y double mutant of the serotype B1 molecule that would be expected to promote strong binding. Interestingly, despite having glutamine and tyrosine at the positions in the serotype B1 protein that promote binding and activity of the serotype B1 neurotoxin, the wild-type B4 molecule does not efficiently bind the hSytII receptor molecule. Thus, amino acids other than Q1191 and Y1199 of the B4 molecule must be important for binding to the hSytII molecule.

As described in the Examples herein, it was found that mutating four of nineteen amino acids of the B4 molecule's H_(c) domain that differ between serotypes B1 and B4 conferred strong hSytII binding upon the serotype B4 molecule. Specifically, B4 amino acids V1113, S1117, S1196 and I1197 were found to be important for B4 binding to hSytII. The mutation of these residues to the corresponding residues of the serotype B1 molecule conferred strong binding upon the serotype B4 molecule—that is, B4 mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P conferred strong hSytII binding. Thus, a B4 H_(c) domain mutant comprising these mutations, in addition to the naturally-occurring Q1191 and Y1199 can be used in modified C. botulinum neurotoxin preparations for therapeutic or cosmetic applications. It should also be understood that further modification of a B4 H_(c) mutant comprising the V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P mutations to include, for example, mutations found to promote the binding of the serotype B1 molecule to hSytII, singly or in combination, would also be expected to promote binding of the modified serotype B4 Hc domain. Thus, in a B4 mutant comprising the V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P mutations, the further mutation of, for example, Q1191 to, e.g., C, V, L, Y, M, and/or Y1199 to, e.g., W, E, or H can also be expected to positively affect binding. As but one example, it is likely that a BoNT neurotoxin comprising a B4 H_(c) domain mutant comprising V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P mutations, plus mutation Q1191M, will also strongly bind and affect neurotransmission activity.

The following includes further description of the studies that led to the discoveries described herein and considerations for one of skill in the art to apply them to the methods and compositions disclosed herein.

EMBODIMENTS

The observation that BoNT/B is less specific and potent in humans due to its inability to bind human Syt II, may explain why comparatively higher doses are required than BoNT/A. Higher BoNT/B doses correspond to increased chances for triggering antibody responses and for serious side-effects to occur. Therefore, improved binding of BoNT/B to the human receptor Syt II, to increase its efficacy and specificity to target human neurons should allow a reduced amount of the toxin doses used in therapeutic applications.

Aspects of the invention arise from the finding that modifying the protein sequence of BoNT serotype B4-H_(C) modifies binding of the fragment containing the receptor binding domain, to the human Syt II receptor. Specific modifications have been identified that enhance binding, thereby generating a domain that binds human Syt II with high-affinity. The modified BoNT/B4-H_(C), when in the context of a full length BoNT protein, retains these binding properties. Incorporation of a modified receptor binding domain with enhanced binding into a molecule comprising the other BoNT domains thereby generates a full length BoNT molecule with similarly enhanced receptor binding. As such, new versions of BoNT with high-affinity binding to human Syt II are generated. BoNTs with significantly enhanced binding can be used in similar therapies, albeit at lower doses than presently available BoNT molecules, thus providing safer methods of treatment.

The BoNT polypeptides, including full-length BoNT polypeptides and BoNT polypeptide fragments or domains described herein (e.g., the modified BoNT/H_(C)), and nucleic acid molecules which encode them, are explicitly encompassed in the invention. These polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules can be generated by recombinant DNA procedures known in the art. Such polypeptides are typically referred to as “recombinant polypeptides” or “recombinant nucleic acids.”

Botulinum Neurotoxin Protein

One aspect of the invention relates to a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) protein comprising a modified receptor binding domain (e.g., of Clostridium botulinum serotype B4), as described herein. The BoNT protein further comprises a protease domain, a translocation domain, and a protease cleavage site. Typically these are arranged in a linear amino-to-carboxyl single polypeptide order of the protease domain, the protease cleavage site, the translocation domain and the modified receptor binding domain. However, different arrangements of the various domains are expected to function adequately. In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain comprises one or more substitution mutations which lead to significantly enhanced binding to the human Syt I receptor and/or the human Syt II receptor.

The BoNT protein may further comprise a domain that is useful for purification of the molecule such as a hexahistidine tag (His6) (SEQ ID NO: 1), or an epitope tag such as a hemaglutinin (HA) tag (YPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 2). Various such domains are known and used in the art for such purposes.

BoNT has the overall structure shown in FIG. 1B. BoNT is comprised of three domains, each domain having a specific and independent function: a protease domain (also referred to as the light chain), a translocation domain (H_(N)), and a receptor-binding domain (H_(C)). Domains of the various strains of C. botulinum neurotoxin have been shown to be largely interchangeable (as demonstrated by naturally occurring chimeric toxins such as BoNT/CD, which is composed of the light chain and H_(N) of BoNT/C, with the H_(C) of BoNT/D (52), in U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,979, incorporated herein by reference). The protein can be in single chain form or di-chain form. The di-chain form results from the naturally occurring protease processing of a protease cleavage site located between the protease domain and the translocation domain. The protein is maintained in the di-chain form following protease processing by the presence of a di-sulfide bond.

Strains of Clostridium botulinum produce seven antigenically-distinct types of botulinum toxins, which have been identified by investigating botulism outbreaks in man (BoNT/A, /B, /E and /F), animals (BoNT/C1 and /D), or isolated from soil (BoNT/G). While all seven BoNT serotypes have similar structure and pharmacological properties, each also displays heterogeneous bacteriological characteristics. The genetic diversity of the C. botulinum strains is described in detail in Hill et al. (Journal of Bacteriology, Vol. 189, No. 3, p. 818-832 (2007)) (53), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the BoNT of the invention has domains which are all of the same serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G). In one embodiment, one or more of those domains of the same serotype differ as to their strain and/or subtype.

Toxins from the various C. botulinum serotypes/strains share the same functional domain organization and overall structural architecture. C. botulinum toxins are each translated as a single chain polypeptide of approximately 150 kDa that is subsequently cleaved by proteolytic scission within a disulfide loop by a naturally-occurring protease, such as, e.g., an endogenous C. botulinum toxin protease or a naturally-occurring protease produced in the environment. This posttranslational processing yields a di-chain molecule comprising an approximately 50 kDa light chain (LC) and an approximately 100 kDa heavy chain (HC) held together by a single disulfide bond and noncovalent interactions. Each mature di-chain molecule comprises three functionally distinct domains: 1) a proteolytic domain located in the LC that includes a metalloprotease region containing a zinc-dependent endopeptidase activity which specifically targets core components of the neurotransmitter release apparatus; 2) a translocation domain contained within the amino-terminal half of the HC (H_(N)) that facilitates release of the LC from intracellular vesicles into the cytoplasm of the target cell; and 3) a binding domain found within the carboxyl-terminal half of the HC that determines the binding activity and binding specificity of the toxin to the receptor complex located at the surface of the target cell. The locations of the specific domains within the toxin of various serotypes/strains are provided in Table 1:

TABLE 1 C. botulinum toxin domains from various serotypes/strains Toxin LC H_(N) H_(C) BoNT/A M1-K448 A449-K871 N872-L1296 BoNT/B M1-K441 A442-S858 E859-E1291 BoNT/C1 M1-K449 T450-N866 N867-E1291 BoNT/D M1-R445 D446-N862 S863-E1276 BoNT/E M1-R422 K423-K845 R846-K1252 BoNT/F M1-K439 A440-K864 K865-E1274 BoNT/G M1-K446 S447-S863 N864-E1297

Complete amino acid sequences of the toxins are provided in FIGS. 10-16. The complete amino acid sequence of the BoNT/B4 neurotoxin polypeptide (also referred to as the Eklund strain) is provided in FIG. 17.

The binding, translocation and protease activity of these three functional domains are all necessary for toxicity. The overall cellular intoxication mechanism whereby C. botulinum toxins enter a neuron and inhibit neurotransmitter release is similar, regardless of serotype or subtype. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the intoxication mechanism involves at least four steps: 1) receptor binding, 2) complex internalization, 3) light chain translocation, and 4) protease target modification. The process is initiated when the H_(C) domain of a C. botulinum toxin binds to a toxin-specific receptor located on the plasma membrane surface of a target cell. The binding specificity of a receptor complex is thought to be achieved, in part, by specific combinations of gangliosides and protein receptors. Once bound, the toxin/receptor complexes are internalized by endocytosis and the internalized vesicles are sorted to specific intracellular routes. The translocation step is triggered by the acidification of the vesicle compartment. Once translocated, light chain endopeptidase of the toxin is released from the intracellular vesicle into the cytosol where it specifically targets one of three proteins known as the core components of the neurotransmitter release apparatus (vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin, synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and Syntaxin). These core components are necessary for synaptic vesicle docking and fusion at the nerve terminal and constitute members of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein-receptor (SNARE) family. BoNT/A and BoNT/E cleave SNAP-25 in the carboxyl-terminal region, releasing a nine or twenty-six amino acid segment, respectively, and BoNT/C1 also cleaves SNAP-25 near the carboxyl-terminus. The botulinum serotypes BoNT/B, BoNT/D, BoNT/F and BoNT/G, and tetanus toxin, act on the conserved central portion of VAMP, and release the amino-terminal portion of VAMP into the cytosol. BoNT/C1 cleaves syntaxin at a single site near the cytosolic plasma membrane surface. The selective proteolysis of synaptic SNAREs accounts for the block of neurotransmitter release caused by C. botulinum toxins in vivo. The SNARE protein targets of C. botulinum toxins are common to exocytosis in a variety of non-neuronal types; in these cells, as in neurons, light chain peptidase activity inhibits exocytosis, see, e.g., Yann Humeau et al., How Botulinum and Tetanus Neurotoxins Block Neurotransmitter Release, 82(5) Biochimie. 427-446 (2000); Kathryn Turton et al., Botulinum and Tetanus Neurotoxins: Structure, Function and Therapeutic Utility, 27(11) Trends Biochem. Sci. 552-558. (2002); Giovanna Lalli et al., The Journey of Tetanus and Botulinum Neurotoxins in Neurons, 11(9) Trends Microbiol. 431-437, (2003).

Domains and Chimeric Neurotoxins

The botulinum neurotoxins described herein comprise a modified receptor binding domain (H_(C)). The modified receptor binding domain exhibits significantly enhanced binding to one or more human receptors typically bound and utilized by one or more C. botulinum toxin strains (e.g., SytII, SytI). The modified receptor binding domain will be a modified serotype B4 receptor binding domain (as described herein). This may be the same or different serotype, strain/subtype as one or more other domains within the BoNT. Examples of specific modified receptor binding domains are provided herein. An isolated modified receptor binding domain polypeptide described herein is also encompassed by the present invention, as is an isolated nucleic acid molecule by which it is encoded.

The botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention also comprises a protease domain, also referred to in the art as a light chain variant. The light chain variant may be a naturally occurring light chain variant, e.g., a C. botulinum toxin light chain isoform and C. botulinum toxin light chain subtype; or a non-naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin light chain variant, e.g., a conservative substitution C. botulinum toxin light chain variant. The protease domain can be of any serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G), strain or subtype (as described herein). This may be the same or different serotype, strain/subtype as one or more other domains within the BoNT. In one embodiment, the protease domain is serotype B. In one embodiment, the protease domain is serotype A.

The botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention also comprises a toxin translocation domain (H_(N)). The toxin translocation domain can be of any serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G), strain or subtype (as described herein). This may be the same or different serotype, strain/subtype as one or more other domains within the BoNT. In one embodiment, the H_(N) is serotype B. In one embodiment, the H_(N) is serotype A.

The various domains described herein (e.g., H_(N), H_(C), or protease domain) include, without limitation, naturally occurring variants, e.g., isoforms and subtypes; non-naturally occurring variants, e.g., conservative substitution mutations. Non-naturally-occurring variant refers to a domain that has at least one amino acid change from the corresponding region of the reference sequences (e.g., from Table 1 or FIG. 8 or 10-17) and can be described in percent identity to the corresponding region of that reference sequence.

While it is understood that botulinum neurotoxin variants described herein will encompass a modified serotype B4 H_(C) domain, it is recognized by those of skill in the art that within each serotype of C. botulinum toxin there can be naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variants that differ somewhat in their amino acid sequence, and also in the nucleic acids encoding these proteins. A naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain (e.g., light chain, H_(N) or H_(C)) variant envisioned for use in the generation of the BoNT of the present invention can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variant is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum toxin domain.

A non-limiting example of a naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant is a C. botulinum toxin domain isoform such as, e.g., a BoNT/A domain isoform, a BoNT/B domain isoform, a BoNT/C1 domain isoform, a BoNT/D domain isoform, a BoNT/E domain isoform, a BoNT/F domain isoform, and a BoNT/G domain isoform. A C. botulinum toxin domain isoform can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the C. botulinum toxin domain isoform is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum toxin domain.

Another non-limiting example of a naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant is a C. botulinum toxin domain subtype such as, e.g., a domain from subtype BoNT/A1, BoNT/A2, BoNT/A3, BoNT/A4, BoNT/A5; a domain from subtype BoNT/B1, BoNT/B2, BoNT/B3, BoNT/B4, BoNT/B5, BoNT/B6, BoNT/B7; a domain from subtype BoNT/C1-1, BoNT/C1-2, BoNT/D-C; a domain from subtype BoNT/E1, BoNT/E2, BoNT/E3, BoNT/E4, BoNT/E5, BoNT/E6, BoNT/E7, BoNT/E8; and a domain from subtype BoNT/F1, BoNT/F2, BoNT/F3, BoNT/F4, BoNT/F5, BoNT/F6, BoNT/F7. A C. botulinum toxin domain subtype can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the C. botulinum toxin domain subtype is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum toxin domain.

As used herein, the term “non-naturally occurring variant” (e.g., C. botulinum toxin light chain variant, H_(C) and H_(N)) means a C. botulinum domain produced with the aid of human manipulation, including, without limitation, domains produced by genetic engineering using random mutagenesis or rational design and C. botulinum domains produced by chemical synthesis. Non-limiting examples of non-naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variants include, e.g., conservative C. botulinum domain variants. As used herein, the term “conservative C. botulinum domain variant” means a C. botulinum domain that has at least one amino acid substituted by another amino acid or an amino acid analog that has at least one property similar to that of the original amino acid from the reference C. botulinum domain sequence (e.g., Table 1 and FIGS. 8 and 10-17). The variant may have one, two, three, four, five or more conservative amino acid substitutions compared to the reference domain sequence. Examples of properties include, without limitation, similar size, topography, charge, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, covalent-bonding capacity, hydrogen-bonding capacity, a physicochemical property, of the like, or any combination thereof. A conservative C. botulinum domain variant can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the conservative C. botulinum toxin domain variant is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum domain in any aspect of the present invention.

A non-naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant may substitute one or more amino acids (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more) from the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain is based. A non-naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant can also possess 95% or more (e.g., 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%) amino acid identity to the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variant is based.

Various non-naturally occurring C. botulinum neurotoxins or specific domains thereof, are described in International Patent Publications WO95/32738, WO96/33273, WO98/07864 and WO99/17806, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The C. botulinum neurotoxin or specific domain thereof described herein will typically contain naturally occurring amino acid residues, but in some cases non-naturally occurring amino acid residues may also be present. Therefore, so-called “peptide mimetics” and “peptide analogues”, which may include non-amino acid chemical structures that mimic the structure of a particular amino acid or peptide, may also be used within the context of the invention. Such mimetics or analogues are characterized generally as exhibiting similar physical characteristics such as size, charge or hydrophobicity, and the appropriate spatial orientation that is found in their natural peptide counterparts. A specific example of a peptide mimetic compound is a compound in which the amide bond between one or more of the amino acids is replaced by, for example, a carbon-carbon bond or other non-amide bond, as is well known in the art (see, for example Sawyer, in Peptide Based Drug Design, pp. 378-422, ACS, Washington D.C. 1995).

The modified botulinum neurotoxin described herein comprises a modified receptor binding domain of C. botulinum serotype B4 (BoNT/B-H_(C)) that comprises four substitution mutations relative to the H_(C) domain of the wild-type, or Eklund, strain: V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P. These substitution variants lead to significantly enhanced binding to the human Syt II receptor. The amino acid sequence of BoNT/B4-H_(C) Eklund strain, used as the reference template in the present invention is shown in FIG. 17 (see also NCBI Reference Sequence: YP_001893661.1, Genbank Ref: EF051570.1). The generation of longer molecules that incorporate modified B4-H_(c) such as complete BoNT or a polypeptide comprising the modified B-H_(C) is specifically contemplated herein.

Toxin diffusion and generation of neutralization antibodies is a problem associated with but not limited to BoNT/B, as they are also observed with BoNT/A. Improvement of the binding affinity of BoNT/A to its receptor SV2 would relieve these problems. Because BoNT/B binding to Syt I/II has much higher affinity than BoNT/A binding to SV2, a modified BoNT/B receptor binding domain (BoNT/B-H_(C)) with the ability to bind human Syt II can also be used to replace BoNT/A-H_(C) to generate a modified chimeric BoNT/A which may have greater efficacy and specificity for human neurons than WT BoNT/A. (49-51).

It is further envisioned that the modified B4 H_(C) described above can be utilized to replace the H_(C) of all other BoNT serotypes/strains. As such, another aspect of the invention is a BoNT polypeptide comprising a modified serotype B4 receptor biding domain (H_(C)), joined with one or more domains of a different serotype (A, C, D, E, F or G), strain or subtype to thereby produce a chimeric neurotoxin. The H_(C) region of each BoNTs is well defined and respective H_(C) regions can be exchanged in the BoNT molecule (e.g., via genetic engineering). Such manipulation is routinely performed by the skilled practitioner via standard PCR fusion of DNA encoding BoNT/B-H_(C) with the light chain (LC) and translocation domain (H_(N)), or H_(N)-LC, of other BoNTs, which has been well-established in the art. In addition, the replacement may also be performed using the C-terminal part of BoNT/B-H_(C) (designated as H_(CC)), which is the region containing the binding site for protein receptors and gangliosides in each BoNT. The resulting chimeric toxins will have the ability to target human neurons via binding to human Syt I/II. As a non-limiting example, modified BoNT/B4-H_(C) (or BoNT/B4-H_(CC)) can be used to replace the H_(C) (or H_(CC)) of BoNT/A. The resulting polypeptides are encompassed by the instant invention. These chimeric toxins may have a higher efficacy and specificity targeting human neurons than WT BoNT/A. Such a chimeric BoNT/A toxin can be used for therapeutic applications in humans and offers significant improvements over WT BoNT/A.

One aspect relates to an isolated, purified modified receptor binding domain polypeptide as described herein. In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain is a modified BoNT/B4-H_(C). In one embodiment, the B4-H_(c) is generated from a different strain and/or subtype of BoNT by substitution of the amino acids that correspond to the specified position(s) in B4 described herein. In one embodiment, the H_(C) is subtype B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 or B7. In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8.

The present invention encompasses mutant full-length BoNT that contains a modified H_(C) (e.g., B4-H_(C)) with amino acid substitutions as described herein, for therapeutic applications in humans. In one embodiment, the full-length BoNT contains a modified H_(C) (e.g., B4-H_(C)) with amino acid substitutions V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P, and further includes an amino acid substitution at one or more combinations of the amino acid residues corresponding to position Q1191, Y1199, Y1183, and W1178 of B4 (e.g., selected from those listed in Table 2). In one embodiment, the BoNT contains a modified B4 H_(C) with amino acid substitutions V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P, and a single additional amino acid substitution as described herein. In one embodiment, the BoNT contains a modified B4 H_(C) with amino acid substitutions V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P, and two additional amino acid substitutions as described herein. In one embodiment, the BoNT contains a modified B4 H_(C) with amino acid substitutions V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P, and three additional amino acid substitutions as described herein. In one embodiment, the modified B-H_(C) is not of strain 3, 7 or 8.

The resulting BoNT toxin can have significantly enhanced binding to human Syt II, and therefore will achieve higher efficacy and specificity to target human neurons than WT BoNT. The resulting mutant may further maintain similar binding to human SytI, have significantly enhanced binding to human SytI, or have significantly reduced binding to human SytI.

Polypeptides and Chimeric Polypeptides

Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the modified BoNT/B4 receptor binding domain. In one embodiment, the modified Hc, in the context of the polypeptide, has significantly enhanced binding to human Syt II and/or Syt I, as compared to the analogous polypeptide with WT amino acids at the specific positions modified in the Hc (the serotype B4 wild type counterpart). In one embodiment, the modified serotype B4 H_(c) is generated from a different serotype, strain and/or subtype of BoNT by substitution of the amino acids that correspond to the specified position(s) in B4 described herein. In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8. In one embodiment, the resulting polypeptide has the ability to target human neurons via binding to human SytI/II.

The polypeptide comprising the modified receptor binding domain may be a fusion protein of the receptor binding domain and another functional polypeptide (e.g., a functional polypeptide utilized in a 2-hybrid system (bait or prey such as T18 or T25, or glutathione S transferase (GST)). This can also be referred to as a chimeric polypeptide molecule. Alternatively, it may be a fusion of the modified receptor binding domain and a polypeptide tag for identification purposes and/or purification purposes (e.g., a hexahistidine tag (His6) (SEQ ID NO: 1), or an epitope tag such as a hemaglutinin (HA) tag (YPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 2), or GST), many of which are known and commonly used in the art. The fusion may have a stretch of amino acids between the respective functional domains that facilitates linkage, serves as a cleavage site, or to preserve independent conformation and/or function. In one embodiment, the linkage preserves the function of the modified receptor binding domain. In one embodiment, the linkage masks the function of the modified receptor binding domain. Another aspect of the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule which encodes any one of such polypeptides.

The modified BoNT/B4 H_(C) can be linked to other agents (e.g., proteins, small molecules, short polypeptides, nucleic acids) covalently (e.g., as a fusion protein) or non-covalently. As such, another aspect of the invention relates to a chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of C. botulinum (e.g., serotype B4), as described herein, linked to a second portion. The second portion of the molecule can be a bioactive (or “biologically active”) molecule such as a therapeutic agent (e.g., a polypeptide or non-polypeptide drug such as a small molecule or nucleic acid). Linkage of the first and second portions of the molecule can be covalent (e.g., in the form of a fusion protein) or non-covalent. Methods of such linkage are known in the art and can readily be applied by the skilled practitioner. One such use of a chimeric molecule of the invention is as a delivery tool to target neurons in humans. For example, the modified BoNT/H_(C) can be linked to other therapeutic agents, to serve as the targeting vehicle to deliver the therapeutic agents to neurons in humans by binding to human Syt I and/or Syt II.

Modifications of the Receptor Binding Domain (H_(C))

As discussed herein, the invention relates to a modified Hc and polypeptides comprising the modified Hc (e.g., BoNT or a fusion or chimeric polypeptide). The modification of the H_(C) amino acid sequence used to generate these various polypeptides of the invention can be performed by various methods known to the skilled practitioner. Examples include, without limitation, targeted mutagenesis (site-directed mutagenesis) or random mutagenesis of each amino acid residue within the region known for binding Syt I/II. These Syt binding regions are well defined by previous studies relating to mouse or rat Syt receptors but have not been clearly determined for interactions between BoNT/B-H_(c) and human Syt receptors. Different subtypes of BoNT/B, or other serotypes which bind to Syt I/II (D-C or G), can be used as the template to create the same or similar mutations by generating corresponding mutations described herein for B4-H_(C). The corresponding position for selected residues to be mutated can be readily identified by sequence alignment with the B4 subtype. The resulting polypeptide products are encompassed by the instant invention, as are polypeptides comprising said products and nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptides and products.

Amino acid sequence modifications of H_(C) to produce the modified receptor binding domain can be mutation of a single residue to a different amino acid (single site substitution), mutation of multiple residues at the same time (multiple sites substitution), deletion of one or more residues (deletion), and insertion of one or more residues (insertion), as well as combinations thereof. Methods for mutating proteins are well-known in the art (e.g., targeted single site and multiple sites substitutions on the DNA encoding the BoNT/H_(C) sequence).

In one embodiment, one or more residues in H_(C) that either contact rodent Syt II or the surrounding regions, based on previous literatures on BoNT/B receptor binding domain (29) _ENREF_29 and reported BoNT/B-Syt II structure (PDB ID: 2NM1), are modified. These include, without limitation those positions that correspond to positions Y1181, I1197, S1196, F1204, F1194, S1117, W1178, Y1183, V1118, S1116, V1113, K1192, Y1199, S1201, Q1191, E1245, Y1256, D1115, and E1203 of BoNT/B4. In one embodiment, in addition to the V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P substitutions, one or more of these residues is systemically replaced with other amino acids. Combinations of various modifications are also envisioned, including, without limitation, mutations of two or more recited positions, to any variety of amino acids, such as those recited herein.

Multiple site substitutions (e.g., 2 or 3) can be generated by combining mutations in these identified key residues. Such multiple site substitution mutants may have even further enhanced binding to h-Syt II and may further maintain or have enhanced binding to human Syt I. In one embodiment, the modified B4 H_(C) has four amino acid substitutions relative to the B4 wild-type sequence, V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P, and further comprises one or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 4, selected from Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, Q1191M, Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and combinations thereof.

A modified B4 H_(C) with substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A and I1197P and a single amino acid substitution mutation shown below in Table 2 is also envisioned, as is its incorporation in the various polypeptides described herein.

TABLE 2 Q1191M Y1183C Y1199H S1117Y Q1191E Y1183P Y1199S V1118M Q1191C Y1183M Y1199W S1196Y Q1191V W1178Q Y1199F Y1181M Q1191L W1178Y Y1199L Q1191Y W1178A S1201V Q1191T W1178S S1117P Q1191I Y1199E S1117M

In one embodiment, the modified B4 H_(C) has enhanced binding to hSyt II compared to the analogous polypeptide having WT amino acids at the specified positions (also referred to herein as the wild-type counterpart). In one embodiment, the generated mutant also maintains or has significantly enhanced binding to human Syt I as compared to the wild type counterpart.

In one embodiment the H_(C) has two substitution mutations that correspond to those shown for serotype B, strain 4, in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Q1191M and Y1199W Q1191V and Y1199H Q1191M and Y1199E Q1191L and Y1199W Q1191M and Y1199H Q1191L and Y1199E Q1191C and Y1199W Q1191L and Y1199H Q1191C and Y1199E Q1191Y and Y1199W Q1191C and Y1199H Q1191Y and Y1199E Q1191V and Y1199W Q1191Y and Y1199H Q1191V and Y199E Nucleic Acid Molecules

Another aspect of the invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the polypeptides described herein (e.g., modified receptor binding domain, or a polypeptide comprising the modified receptor binding domain, or the botulinum neurotoxin comprising the modified receptor binding domain, described herein). In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 9. Such nucleic acid molecules can be produced by the skilled practitioner, for example by recombinant DNA techniques. The desired amino acid substitution mutation is made, for example, by modification of the encoding DNA. For example, nucleic acid sequences coding for the polypeptides described herein are generated by mutating the nucleic acid codon encoding the specified amino acid to the desired amino acid using the genetic code shown below:

TTT Phe TCT Ser TAT Tyr TGT Cys TTC Phe TCC Ser TAC Tyr TGC Cys TTA Leu TCA Ser TGA TTG Leu TCG Ser TGG Trp CTT Leu CCT Pro  CAT His CGT Arg CTC Leu CCC Pro CAC His CGC Arg CTA Leu CCA Pro CAA Gln CGA Arg CTG Leu CCG Pro CAG Gln CGG Arg ATT Ile ACT Thr AAT Asn AGT Ser ATC Ile ACC Thr AAC Asn AGC Ser ATA Ile ACA Thr AAA Lys AGA Arg ATG Met*  ACG Thr AAG Lys AGG Arg GTT Val GCT Ala GAT Asp GGT Gly GTC Val GCC Ala GAC Asp GGC Gly GTA Val GCA Ala GAA Glu GGA Gly GTG Val GCG Ala GAG Glu GGG Gly

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence is optimized for expression in E. coli (e.g., the nucleic acid sequence based on GenBank AB232927.1, the relevant portion of which is shown in FIG. 9).

Another aspect of the invention relates to a nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule described herein. In one embodiment the vector is an expression vector. Such an expression vector is referred to herein as an expression construct, and comprises a nucleic acid molecule disclosed herein operably-linked to the expression vector useful for expressing the nucleic acid molecule in a cell or cell-free extract. A wide variety of expression vectors can be employed for expressing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a C. botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention including, without limitation, a viral expression vector; a prokaryotic expression vector; eukaryotic expression vectors, such as, e.g., a yeast expression vector, an insect expression vector and a mammalian expression vector; and a cell-free extract expression vector. It is further understood that expression vectors useful to practice aspects of these methods may include those which express the C. botulinum neurotoxin under control of a constitutive, tissue-specific, cell-specific or inducible promoter element, enhancer element or both. Non-limiting examples of expression vectors, along with well-established reagents and conditions for making and using an expression construct from such expression vectors are readily available from commercial vendors that include, without limitation, BD Biosciences-Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.; BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.; Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.; EMD Biosciences-Novagen, Madison, Wis.; QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, Calif.; and Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif. The selection, making and use of an appropriate expression vector are routine procedures well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teachings herein.

Cells

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule or expression construct described herein. The cell can be for propagation of the nucleic acid or for expression of the nucleic acid, or both. Such cells include, without limitation, prokaryotic cells including, without limitation, strains of aerobic, microaerophilic, capnophilic, facultative, anaerobic, gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial cells such as those derived from, e.g., Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridia perfringens, Clostridia difficile, Caulobacter crescentus, Lactococcus lactis, Methylobacterium extorquens, Neisseria meningirulls, Neisseria meningitidis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Salmonella typhimurium; and eukaryotic cells including, without limitation, yeast strains, such as, e.g., those derived from Pichia pastoris, Pichia methanolica, Pichia angusta, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica; insect cells and cell lines derived from insects, such as, e.g., those derived from Spodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusia ni, Drosophila melanogaster and Manduca sexta; and mammalian cells and cell lines derived from mammalian cells, such as, e.g., those derived from mouse, rat, hamster, porcine, bovine, equine, primate and human. Cell lines may be obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, European Collection of Cell Cultures and the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures. Non-limiting examples of specific protocols for selecting, making and using an appropriate cell line are described in e.g., INSECT CELL CULTURE ENGINEERING (Mattheus F. A. Goosen et al. eds., Marcel Dekker, 1993); INSECT CELL CULTURES: FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS (J. M. Vlak et al. eds., Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1996); Maureen A. Harrison & Ian F. Rae, GENERAL TECHNIQUES OF CELL CULTURE (Cambridge University Press, 1997); CELL AND TISSUE CULTURE: LABORATORY PROCEDURES (Alan Doyle et al eds., John Wiley and Sons, 1998); R. Ian Freshney, CULTURE OF ANIMAL CELLS: A MANUAL OF BASIC TECHNIQUE (Wiley-Liss, 4.sup.th ed. 2000); ANIMAL CELL CULTURE: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (John R. W. Masters ed., Oxford University Press, 3.sup.rd ed. 2000); MOLECULAR CLONING A LABORATORY MANUAL, supra, (2001); BASIC CELL CULTURE: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (John M. Davis, Oxford Press, 2.sup.nd ed. 2002); and CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, supra, (2004). These protocols are routine procedures within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teaching herein.

The cell can be for expression of the nucleic acid to thereby generate the encoded polypeptide. As such, another aspect of the invention is a method for producing a botulinum neurotoxin protein, an isolated H_(C), or a polypeptide comprising a modified H_(C), described herein. Such polypeptides are produced by culturing the host cell that has within it a nucleic acid that encodes the polypeptide, in the context of an expression construct. Culturing is performed under conditions suitable for production of the BoNT polypeptide. The expressed polypeptide can be recovered from the culture, purified and formulated by methods known in the art. The expressed polypeptide can also be activated as necessary by methods known in the art. One method of activating the expressed polypeptide is through cleavage (or nicking) by proteases into an active dichain form. Such methods can be adapted from those known in the art, for example as disclosed by Peter F. Bonventre and Lloyd L. Klempe (J. Bacteriol 1960, 79(1): 23 and Michaeal L. Dekleva and Bibhuti R. DasGupta (Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communicaitons 1989, 162: 767-772).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the C. botulinum neurotoxin, or chimeric molecule described herein. In one embodiment, the polypeptide described herein is an active ingredient in a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (referred to herein as a pharmaceutical composition). A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” means any pharmaceutically acceptable means to mix and/or deliver the targeted delivery composition to a subject. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material that assists in maintaining or establishing the BoNT polypeptide in a form for delivery to a subject. Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the composition and is compatible with administration to a subject, for example a human. Such compositions can be specifically formulated for administration via one or more of a number of routes, such as the routes of administration described herein. Supplementary active ingredients also can be incorporated into the compositions. When an agent, formulation or pharmaceutical composition described herein, is administered to a subject, preferably, a therapeutically effective amount is administered. As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount that results in an improvement or remediation of the condition. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for administration by injection. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition involves the botulinum neurotoxin encapsulated in microspheres. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition involves the botulinum neurotoxin formulated for transepithelial delivery. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition involves the botulinum neurotoxin formulated for slow release.

In one embodiment, the botulinum neurotoxin, polypeptide, or chimeric molecule of the present invention is in the form of a controlled release formula. Such compositions and methods for administration are provided in U.S. Patent publication No. 2007/0020295, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Botulinum neurotoxin can be obtained by establishing and growing cultures of Clostridium botulinum in a fermenter and then harvesting and purifying the fermented mixture in accordance with known procedures. All the botulinum toxin serotypes are initially synthesized as inactive single chain proteins which must be cleaved or nicked by proteases to become neuroactive. The bacterial strains that make botulinum toxin serotypes A and G possess endogenous proteases and serotypes A and G can therefore be recovered from bacterial cultures in predominantly their active form. In contrast, botulinum toxin serotypes C₁, D and E are synthesized by nonproteolytic strains and are therefore typically unactivated when recovered from culture. Serotypes B and F are produced by both proteolytic and nonproteolytic strains and therefore can be recovered in either the active or inactive form. The proteolytic strains that produce, for example, the botulinum toxin type B serotype may only cleave a portion of the toxin produced. The exact proportion of nicked to unnicked molecules depends on the length of incubation and the temperature of the culture. Therefore, a certain percentage of a preparation of, for example, the botulinum toxin type B toxin may be inactive. In one embodiment, the neurotoxin of the present invention is in an active state. In one embodiment, the neurotoxin is in an inactive state. In one embodiment, a combination of active and inactive neurotoxin is envisioned.

Kits

Also encompassed in the present invention is a kit comprising the BoNT or polypeptide disclosed herein (e.g., in the form of a pharmaceutical composition). The kit may comprise one or more of the compositions described herein packaged in a vial. The kit may further comprise a delivery tool or device for the therapeutic administration of the composition, and/or instructions for therapeutic administration. The kit may have all components therein packaged into a formed container.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a delivery tool or device for administration of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein, pre-loaded with the pharmaceutical composition (e.g., for single use). Such devices may be a syringe or a microneedle device for delivery of the compositions. The syringe may be a single use syringe pre-loaded with an effective amount of the composition. The microneedle device may comprise one or more microneedles coated with the composition described herein, such as is described in U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0196445, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

Methods of Treatment

The present invention also includes methods for treating a condition typically treated with a neurotoxin (e.g, skeletal muscle conditions, smooth muscle conditions, glandular conditions, a neuromuscular disorder, an autonomic disorder, pain, or an aesthetic/cosmetic condition). Such conditions are associated with unwanted neuronal activity, as determined by the skilled practitioner. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a BoNT or polypeptide/chimeric molecule described herein (e.g. as a pharmaceutical composition) to the appropriate location in the mammal to reduce the unwanted neuronal activity, to thereby treat the condition. Administration is by a route that contacts an effective amount of the composition to neurons exhibiting the unwanted activity.

Specific conditions envisioned for treatment by the methods discussed herein include, without limitation, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, laryngeal dystonia, oromandibular dysphonia, lingual dystonia, cervical dystonia, focal hand dystonia, blepharospasm, strabismus, hemifacial spasm, eyelid disorder, cerebral palsy, focal spasticity and other voice disorders, spasmodic colitis, neurogenic bladder (i.e. all diseases involving urinary incontinence, such as e.g., neurogenic detrusor overactivity or idiopathic overactive bladder), prostate cancer and other cancer forms, anismus, limb spasticity, tics, tremors, bruxism, anal fissure, achalasia, dysphagia and other muscle tone disorders and other disorders characterized by involuntary movements of muscle groups, lacrimation, hyperhydrosis, excessive salivation, excessive gastrointestinal secretions as well as other secretory disorders, pain from muscle spasms, neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, heachache pain, such as e.g. migraine, itch (pruritis), acne. In addition, the present invention can be used to treat dermatological or aesthetic/cosmetic conditions, for example, reduction of brow furrows, reduction of skin wrinkles. The present invention can also be used in the treatment of sports injuries. Other applications include treating disorders such as sialorrhea and hyperhidrosis. In addition, BoNT/B is needed as an alternative toxin for treating patients who have developed neutralizing antibodies against BoNT/A.

In addition, the modified neurotoxin can be administered to treat other neuromuscular disorders using well known techniques that are commonly performed with botulinum type A. For example, the present invention can be used to treat pain, for example, headache pain, pain from muscle spasms and various forms of inflammatory pain. For example, Aoki U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,215 and Aoki U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,915 disclose methods of using botulinum toxin type A for treating pain. The disclosure of these two patents is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

Autonomic nervous system disorders can also be treated with a modified neurotoxin. For example, glandular malfunctioning is an autonomic nervous system disorder. Glandular malfunctioning includes excessive sweating and excessive salivation. Respiratory malfunctioning is another example of an autonomic nervous system disorder. Respiratory malfunctioning includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Sanders et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,605 disclose methods for treating the autonomic nervous system; for example, treating autonomic nervous system disorders such as excessive sweating, excessive salivation, asthma, etc., using naturally existing botulinum toxins. The disclosure of Sander et al. is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. In one embodiment, substantially similar methods to that of Sanders et al. can be employed, but using a modified neurotoxin, to treat autonomic nervous system disorders such as the ones discussed above. For example, a modified neurotoxin can be locally applied to the nasal cavity of the mammal in an amount sufficient to degenerate cholinergic neurons of the autonomic nervous system that control the mucous secretion in the nasal cavity.

Pain that can be treated by a modified neurotoxin includes pain caused by muscle tension, or spasm, or pain that is not associated with muscle spasm. For example, Binder in U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,468 discloses that headache caused by vascular disturbances, muscular tension, neuralgia and neuropathy can be treated with a naturally occurring botulinum toxin, for example Botulinum type A. The disclosures of Binder are incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. In one embodiment, substantially similar methods to that of Binder can be employed, but using a modified neurotoxin, to treat headache, especially the ones caused by vascular disturbances, muscular tension, neuralgia and neuropathy. Pain caused by muscle spasm can also be treated by an administration of a modified neurotoxin. For example, WO2006001676 (Kang Ahn) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating knee joint pain caused by saphenous nerve entrapment, WO2008059126 (Christine Favre et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating pain induced by chemotherapy, WO2008090287 (Christine Favre et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating pain induced by anti-HIV treatment, WO2009130600 (Christine Favre et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, and WO2007144493 (Michel Auguet et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin in combination with an opiate derivative for treating pain. The disclosures of WO2006001676, WO2008059126, WO2008090287, WO2009130600, WO2007144493 are incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. Furthermore, a modified neurotoxin can be administered to a mammal to treat pain that is not associated with a muscular disorder, such as spasm. In one broad embodiment, methods of the present invention to treat non-spasm related pain include central administration or peripheral administration of the modified neurotoxin.

An acute or chronic pain that is not associated with a muscle spasm can also be alleviated with a local, peripheral administration of the modified neurotoxin to an actual or a perceived pain location on the mammal. In one embodiment, the modified neurotoxin is administered subcutaneously at or near the location of pain, for example, at or near a cut. In some embodiments, the modified neurotoxin is administered intramuscularly at or near the location of pain, for example, at or near a bruise location on the mammal. In some embodiments, the modified neurotoxin is injected directly into a joint of a mammal, for treating or alleviating pain caused by arthritic conditions. Also, frequent repeated injection or infusion of the modified neurotoxin to a peripheral pain location is within the scope of the present invention

Routes of administration for such methods are known in the art and easily adapted to the methods described herein by the skilled practitioner (e.g., see for example, Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (1998), edited by Anthony Fauci et al., 14th edition, published by McGraw Hill). By way of non-limiting example, the treatment of a neuromuscular disorder can comprise a step of locally administering an effective amount of the molecule to a muscle or a group of muscles, the treatment of an autonomic disorder can comprise a step of locally administering an effective of the molecule to a gland or glands, and the treatment of pain can comprise a step of administering an effective amount of the molecule the site of the pain. In addition, the treatment of pain can comprise a step of administering an effective amount of a modified neurotoxin to the spinal cord.

It is also envisioned that the modified B4 H_(C)s described herein can be utilized as a delivery tool to target neurons and other cell types that express human synaptotagmin II in humans. For example, the modified H_(C) linked to another bioactive molecule (e.g., therapeutic agent) covalently or non-covalently to thereby form a chimeric molecule described herein, can serve as the targeting vehicle to deliver the bioactive molecule to neurons and other cell types that express human synaptotagmin II in humans by binding to human Syt I and/or Syt II. As such, another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a chimeric polypeptide molecule described herein to deliver the bioactive molecule to a neuron in a human subject. The second portion of the molecule can be a bioactive molecule such as a therapeutic agent (e.g., a polypeptide or drug). Linkage of the first and second portions of the molecule can be covalent (e.g., in the form of a fusion protein) or non-covalent. Methods of such linkage are known in the art and can readily be applied by the skilled practitioner. The chimeric polypeptide molecule would be administered by a route that resulted in contacting of the polypeptide to the neurons expressing the receptor to which the modified B-H_(C) specifically binds (the target neuron), as described herein.

Identifying Receptor Binding Activity

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for identifying a modified BoNT receptor binding domain for its ability to bind to a receptor (e.g. a human Syt I or human Syt II, or human SV2). The method utilizes the 2-hybrid assay system and utilizes fusions proteins made of the receptor and of the modified Hc respectively fused (expressed as fusions proteins) to the respective “bait” and “prey” subunits used in the 2-hybrid assay (e.g., Gal 4 transcription activation system utilizing an activation domain and a DNA binding domain). The 2-hybrid assay is typically performed in yeast (S. cerevisiae), but similar assay systems have been developed for use in other single celled organisms as well such as in E. coli. Those systems are equally comparable. In one embodiment, the bacterial adenylate cyclase 2-hybrid assay is used (Karimova et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. May 12, 1998; 95(10): 5752-5756, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). The system uses T18 and T25 as bait and prey, and can utilize E. coli BTH101 cells.

The modified Hc is expressed as a fusion protein with T18 (referred to as a first fusion protein) in the E. coli of the 2-hybrid assay. In the method, the receptor (or a binding fragment thereof such as h-Syt II a.a. 1-87) is co-expressed as a fusion protein with T25 (referred to as a second fusion protein) in the E. coli of the 2-hybrid assay. The assay utilizes a positive indicator of interaction between the respective molecules via their respective fusions. One possible positive indicator is color development. Clonal E. coli colonies expressing both the first and second fusion proteins are grown on solid media containing the appropriate selective and reporting media (e.g., ampicillin, kanamycin, X-gal, and IPTG) for an amount of time to allow for generation of a positive indication (e.g., color generation) from positive colonies. Binding of the modified binding domain to the receptor fragment will lead to the positive indication (e.g., expression of LacZ gene and result in generation of a blue color in colonies grown on X-gal plates).

The colonies are analyzed for such positive indication (e.g., color development) when compared to appropriate controls (positive and negative). The analyzing can be visually or by a non-human machine. An appropriate negative control that fails to produce appreciable positive indication (e.g., LacZ expression) is used (e.g, a clonal colony lacking a key component of the assay system such as having bait and prey that are expressed without a fusion). An appropriate strong positive control can also be used. One example of a strong positive control for the human Syt II receptor in the assay is a B1-Hc with a substitution mutation at E1191 (M/C/V or Q). A weakly positive control can also be used to identify the strength of the binding. One example of a weakly positive control for human Syt II receptor in the assay is a B1-Hc with a substitution mutation at W1178 (Q/Y/A or S). Identification of the positive indication (e.g., color development) indicates that the modified Hc binds the receptor. Identification of strong positive indication such as strong color development (e.g. above a weakly positive control) indicates the Hc binds the receptor with high affinity.

The modified Hc used in the assay can be any modified Hc disclosed herein. By way of non-limiting example, the modified Hc may contain one, two or three substitution mutations such as those disclosed herein. The modified Hc may be of any serotype/strain or subtype as disclosed herein.

The embodiments described here and in the following examples are for illustrative purposes only, and various modifications or changes apparent to those skilled in the art are included within the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present application shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, and reagents, etc., described herein and as such may vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients or reaction conditions used herein should be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” The term “about” when used to describe the present invention, in connection with percentages means±1%.

In one respect, the present invention relates to the herein described compositions, methods, and respective component(s) thereof, as essential to the invention, yet open to the inclusion of unspecified elements, essential or not (“comprising”). In some embodiments, other elements to be included in the description of the composition, method or respective component thereof are limited to those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the invention (“consisting essentially of”). This applies equally to steps within a described method as well as compositions and components therein. In other embodiments, the inventions, compositions, methods, and respective components thereof, described herein are intended to be exclusive of any element not deemed an essential element to the component, composition or method (“consisting of”).

All patents, patent applications, and publications identified are expressly incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the present invention. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be construed as further limiting.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Identification of Single Mutations that Enhance BoNT/B Binding to h-Syt II

The co-crystal structure of BoNT/B bound to rat Syt II has been solved (19, 20). This provided a sound basis for the selection of a total of nineteen residues at the BoNT/B-Syt II interface for mutagenesis studies (FIG. 2A, Table 5). Our strategy was to saturate each of these 19 positions with all 20 possible amino acids, aiming to identify all single residue mutations that increase the binding to h-Syt II. To do so, we utilized a bacterial adenylate cyclase two hybrid approach (BACTH) (33). Briefly, the H_(C) of BoNT/B (H_(C)B) was sub-cloned into a vector with a split fragment (designated as T18) of a bacterial adenylate cyclase. This T18-H_(C)B fusion construct was amplified via PCR using primers harboring random tri-nucleotides (NNN) at the selected position, generating a pool of constructs that encode all 20 possible amino acids at the selected site (FIG. 2B). This pool of constructs were then co-transformed into bacteria (E. coli strain BTH101) together with a construct that constitutively expresses the fragment of h-Syt II containing the toxin binding site (residues 1-87) fused with the other half of the split bacterial adenylate cyclase (designated as T25). Binding of H_(C)B to h-Syt II brings T18 and T25 together and recovers the activity of adenylate cyclase, which leads to expression of lacZ gene and results in blue colonies on X-Gal plates (FIG. 2B).

Four locations showed blue colonies E1191 (22.7% of the total number of colonies), W11178 (7.8%), Y1183 (4.0%), and S1199 (5.1%) (Table 6). Plasmids were extracted and sequenced from these blue colonies, revealing the mutations at each site E1191M/C/V/Q/L/Y, Y1183/C/P, S1199W/E/Y/H, W1178Y/Q/A/S (FIG. 2C). These mutations were further validated by measuring the levels of β-galactosidase in bacteria, which reflects reconstituted adenylate cyclase activity. Four mutations at E1191 sites, E1191M/C/V/Q, showed the strongest 3-galactosidase activity among all mutations (FIG. 2D). We further examined mutations at E1191 with pull-down assays. GST-tagged wild type (WT) mouse Syt II fragment (m-Syt II, residues 1-87) was used as a positive control. Human Syt II fragment was created by mutating F54 in mouse Syt II (1-87) to L, thus mimicking the human sequence (designated as h-Syt II). GST-tagged Syt II fragments were immobilized on beads and used to pull down H_(C)B. Bound H_(C)B was detected via a fused HA-tag by immunoblot analysis. E1191M/C/V/Q resulted in significant levels of binding to h-Syt II (FIG. 2E). Other mutations at E1191, as well as at other sites, did not result in significant binding to h-Syt II (FIG. 18). Confirming what was previously shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 21 also shows that other mutations did not result in significant binding to h-Syt II. Together, these data demonstrate that H_(C)B containing E1191M/C/V/Q mutations gained the improved ability to bind h-Syt II.

Example 2. Combinational Mutations in H_(C)B Further Enhanced its Binding to h-Syt II

We next explored whether binding of H_(C)B (E1191M/C/V/Q) to h-Syt II can be further enhanced by including a secondary mutation at a different location. Double mutations were generated by combining E1191M with residue changes identified in the BACTH screening at 1183, 1199, and 1178 sites (FIG. 2C). These 10 double mutants were analyzed for their ability to bind h-Syt II in pull-down assays (FIG. 3A). Three of them, E1191M/S1199W, E1191M/S1199Y, and E1191M/W1178Q, displayed robust binding to h-Syt II, whereas combining E1191M with Y1183C/P reduced binding to h-Syt II (FIG. 3A). Considering that E1191 is spatially close to Y1183 (FIG. 2A), this suggests a potential structural conflict when mutating both E1191 and Y1183.

We next generated all 12 combinations between the primary mutations E1191M/C/V/Q with the compatible secondary mutations S1199W/Y and W1178Q, as well as a triple mutation E1191M/S1199W/W1178Q. The binding affinities (K_(D)) of all 12 mutants toward h-Syt II were measured using bio-layer interferometry assay (BLI), with the parameters listed in Table 4 and representative traces shown in FIG. 19. Briefly, GST-tagged Syt fragments were immobilized onto a probe, which was then exposed to purified H_(C)B at different concentrations (association phase, FIG. 3B), followed by washing steps (dissociation phase, FIG. 3B). Binding of WT H_(C)B to m-Syt II served as a positive control, which showed a K_(D) of 0.13 μM (Table 4). Binding of WT H_(C)B to h-Syt II was too weak to be reliably determined beyond the detection limit, with an estimated K_(D)>20 μM (FIG. 3B, Table 4). The E1191M mutant yielded a binding K_(D) of 6.7 μM to h-Syt II. The majority of double mutants further improved the binding affinity, with K_(D) values between 0.59 μM to 4.3 μM (FIG. 19, Table 4). The top two double mutants, E1191M/S1199Y (K_(D)=0.72 μM) and E1191V/S1199Y (K_(D)=0.59 μM), offered an order of magnitude affinity than the E1191M mutant (FIG. 3B, Table 4). The E1191Q/W1178Q double mutant was the only one that did not bind to h-Syt II. The triple mutant E1191M/S1199W/W1178Q showed a binding affinity similar to the double mutant E1191M/S1199W, indicating that adding the third mutation site offered no further improvement (Table 4).

Example 3. H_(C)B Mutants Showed Enhanced Binding to h-Syt I

It was next examined whether H_(C)B mutants still bind to h-Syt I. FIG. 24 depicts comparisons between Syt I and Syt II and between human and mouse Syt I at the BoNT/B-binding interface described herein. Binding of WT H_(C)B to Syt I can only be detected with the presence of co-receptor gangliosides in pull-down assays. This is because Syt I displays a lower binding affinity toward BoNT/B compared to Syt II (15, 28). We found that both E1191M and E1191M/S1199Y mutants bound to h-Syt I in the absence of gangliosides in pull-down assays (FIG. 3C), suggesting that these mutants may have enhanced binding to h-Syt I. We measured the binding affinities of our top two mutants (E1191M/S1199Y and E1191V/S1199Y) for h-Syt I using the BLI assay. H_(C)B containing E1191M/S1199Y (H_(C)B_(MY)) or E1191V/S1199Y (H_(C)B_(VY)) displayed a K_(D) of 2.9 μM and 5.82 μM, respectively. Considering that WT H_(C)B binding to h-Syt I was too weak to be reliably determined (Table 4, FIG. 20), H_(C)B mutants not only enhanced binding to h-Syt II, but also to h-Syt I. As H_(C)B_(MY) showed a higher binding affinity toward h-Syt I and a lower dissociation constant for both Syt I and Syt II compared to H_(C)B_(VY), we selected this mutant for further characterizations.

Example 4. H_(C)B_(MY) Binds to h-Syt II on Neuronal Surfaces

It was next examined whether H_(C)B_(MY) mutant may bind to h-Syt II on physiologically relevant neuronal surfaces. To this end, cultured rat cortical neurons, which express Syt I but not Syt II were used (13). Thus, knock down (KD) of Syt I generated neurons with no endogenous receptors. Expressing full-length h-Syt II in these Syt I KD neurons created “humanized” neurons with only h-Syt II as the toxin receptor (18). As expected, WT H_(C)B bound strongly to rat neurons and the binding was abolished after knocking down endogenous Syt I. Expression of full-length m-Syt II, but not h-Syt II nor a m-Syt II containing F54L mutation, restored binding of WT H_(C)B (FIG. 4A). In contrast, H_(C)B_(MY) showed robust binding to neurons that express m-Syt II, h-Syt II, or m-Syt II (F54L), demonstrating that H_(C)B_(MY) has an enhanced ability to bind h-Syt II on neuronal surfaces (FIG. 4B).

Example 5. BoNT/B Mutant Displayed Enhanced Efficacy to Block Neurotransmission in Humanized Neurons

To address a key question of whether enhanced binding to h-Syt II translates to improved efficacy at functional levels in neurons, full-length WT BoNT/B and E1191M/S1199Y double mutant toxin (BoNT/B_(MY)) were produced recombinantly in E. coli (FIG. 23). Humanized neurons were exposed to a gradient of WT or BoNT/B_(MY) toxins. Cleavage of VAMP2 was examined by immunoblot analysis. As shown in FIG. 5A, more VAMP2 was cleaved in neurons exposed to BoNT/B_(MY) compared to neurons exposed to WT BoNT/B at each toxin concentration tested, indicating that BoNT/B_(MY) targeted and entered neurons more efficiently than WT toxin.

Neurotransmitter release was next monitored by recording miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. The frequency of mIPSCs reflects the activity of neurotransmitter release in a population of neurons. Entry of BoNT/B into presynaptic terminals blocks release of neurotransmitter, thus reducing frequency of mIPSCs (FIG. 5B). Humanized neurons were exposed to a gradient of WT BoNT/B or BoNT/B_(MY). As shown in FIG. 5C, BoNT/B_(MY) showed a greatly enhanced potency, with a half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀)˜11-fold lower than WT toxin. These data demonstrated that enhanced binding to human receptors resulted in increased efficacy of toxin at functional levels in neurons.

Example 6. BoNT/B4 Subtype Contains Q1191/Y1199 but does not Bind to h-Syt II

Finally, it was explored whether any naturally occurring sequence variations in BoNT/B subtypes exist that may impact binding to h-Syt II. BoNT/B has eight subtypes known to date (BoNT/B1-B8, with BoNT/B1 known as the prototype BoNT/B), with up to 7% sequence variations (34). Sequence alignment revealed variations at both E1191 and S1199 (FIG. 6A). Intriguingly, there were cases of E1191Q (BoNT/B4, /B8) and S1199Y (BoNT/B2, /B3, /B4, /B7). It is even a combination of E1191Q and S1199Y in B4—this double mutant in BoNT/B1 resulted in robust binding to h-Syt II (Table 4). However, H_(C)B4 did not bind to h-Syt II in pull-down assays (FIG. 6B). This is likely due to other residue changes in H_(C)B4 from BoNT/B1. Among the nineteen key residues at the BoNT/B-Syt interfaces, there are four other residues that are different between BoNT/B1 and B4 (FIG. 7). Indeed, replacing all four residues in H_(C)B4 to the corresponding residues in BoNT/B1 increased its bind to h-syt II (FIG. 6C). Confirming what was previously shown in FIG. 6C, FIG. 22 also shows that replacing all four residues in H_(C)B4 with the corresponding residues in BoNT/B1 created a mutant H_(C)B4 that can bind to h-Syt II. Interestingly, H_(C)B4 showed a robust binding to h-Syt I in the absence of gangliosides, suggesting that this subtype has a better binding affinity to Syt I than BoNT/B1 (FIG. 6D).

Discussion

By combining rational design based on available co-crystal structure of the BoNT/B-Syt II complex with the BACTH method that saturates all possible single point mutations at each of the selected target residues, a series of point mutations in BoNT/B1 that improved binding to h-Syt II was identified. These point mutations were further examined in different combinations, revealing double mutants that displayed a high-affinity to h-Syt II. Furthermore, full-length BoNT/B1 containing two of these mutations showed ˜11-fold higher potency than WT BoNT/B1 on humanized neurons, demonstrating that enhanced binding to toxin receptors translates to higher potency at functional levels in neurons.

Residue E1191 of BoNT/B1 was found to be a critical position for binding to both h-Syt I and h-Syt II. This residue is located at the periphery of the BoNT/B•Syt II interface where by placing M/C/V/Q, it is possible that these residues may form new/extra bonds with Syt II, as well as remove a potentially unfavorable negative charge, thus enhancing the overall binding affinity. In addition to h-Syt II, the E1191M mutation also increased binding affinity to Syt I. It has been previously shown that E1191L increases binding of BoNT/B to Syt I (35). It also found herein that replacing E1191 with L or Y showed increased binding to h-Syt II, but to a much lesser degree than M/C/V/Q. Therefore, these results suggest that 1191 is located at a key position to modulate the binding affinity between BoNT/B and Syt I/II, without disrupting the overall binding interface.

The BACTH screen identified other mutations in BoNT/B that caused only a slight increase in binding to h-Syt II, including W1178Y/Q/A/S, Y1183C/P, and S1199W/E/Y/H. S1199Y was previously reported to increase binding of BoNT/B to Syt II, possibly as a result of a it-stacking interaction between S1199Y and F47 of Syt II (19). Interestingly, sequence analysis of BoNT/B subtypes revealed residue variations at some of these sites. For instance, 1199 site can be S, Y, or H, and 1191 site can be E, K, or Q. Such residue changes would be expected to alter the binding affinity toward Syt I or Syt II. For instance, BoNT/B4 binds more strongly to h-Syt I than BoNT/B1, likely because it contains Q at the 1191 site and Y at the 1199 site. It appears that nature has already sampled a repertoire of residues for their ability to alter toxin-receptor interactions at these two key locations identified in our BACTH screens. With a growing number of subtype toxins being revealed, naturally-occurring sequence variations in the H_(C) domain of toxins provide a rich resource for mining residues that could modulate toxin-receptor interactions.

BoNT/DC and BoNT/G recognize the same surface residues on Syt I/II as BoNT/B, and both showed diminished binding to h-Syt II (18). The co-crystal structures of BoNT/DC in complex with Syt I/II have been solved (36); therefore, a similar approach of targeting key residues in the binding interface may identify particular mutations in BoNT/DC that increase its affinity to h-Syt II.

It is intriguing to note that humans are known to be less sensitive to BoNT/D due to a single residue change in the human VAMP1 substrate, from M48 (mouse VAMP1 sequence number) in mice to 148 in humans in humans. With residue I at this location, BoNT/D showed significantly reduced cleavage efficiency (37-39). Considering that BoNT/DC shares the same protease domain as BoNT/D, humans are less sensitive to BoNT/DC due to both a single residue change in its receptor and a single residue change in its substrate. Although the possibility cannot be excluded that these two changes are random events, it is possible that BoNTs might have been a selective force in human evolution (37).

Medical use of BoNTs is a remarkable example of transforming a deadly toxin to effective therapeutics. With the rapid expansion of its medical application, there are growing interests in engineering BoNTs to improve their therapeutic efficacy and reduce their adverse effects (40-44). Previous studies have showed that replacing the H_(C) of BoNT/A with the H_(C) of BoNT/B resulted in a chimeric BoNT/AB with increased potency in mouse tissue (45, 46). These findings suggest a possibility that H_(C)B can be utilized to create a chimeric BoNT/AB that potentially further improves the potency of BoNT/A in humans. Therefore, BoNT/B mutants identified here permit the development of a new generation of therapeutic toxins with improved efficacy in humans. In addition, such modified BoNT/B and its H_(C) will also be valuable scientific tools and delivery vehicles for targeting human neurons.

Materials and Methods

Materials and Constructs.

The following antibodies were purchased from the indicated vendors: Synapsin I (Clone 46.1, Synaptic Systems), VAMP2 (Clone 69.1, Synaptic Systems), HA (16B12, Covance), and β-tubulin III (ab18207, Abcam). Bovine mixed brain gangliosides were purchased from Matreya LLC (Pleasant Gap, Pa.) and were reconstituted in Tris-buffered saline (TBS: 20 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl) as previously described (14). The cDNAs encoding H_(C)B (residue 857-1291, Genbank: ACA46990.1) and H_(C)B4 (Genbank: EF051570) was codon optimized for E. coli expression and synthesized by Genscript Inc. (New Brunswick, N.J.). The following cDNAs were generously provided by indicated groups: rat Syt I (T. C. Sudhof, Palo Alto, Calif.), mouse Syt II (M. Fukuda, Ibaraki, Japan), human Syt I (R. B. Sutton, Lubbock, Tex.). DNA encoding H_(C)B was subcloned into pET28a vector, with both a His6 tag (SEQ ID NO: 1) and a HA tag (YPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 2) fused to its N-terminus. Mutations in H_(C)B were generated via PCR using Site-directed Mutagenesis Kit (Agilent Technologies, CA). GST tagged Syt I/II fragments and Syt II F54L mutant were described previously (15, 18, 23).

Production and Activation of Full-Length BoNT/B and BoNT/B_(MY).

The cDNA encoding full-length inactive BoNT/BR_(370A,Y373F) (accession B11NP5) was codon optimized for expression in E. coli. It was cloned into pET32a via NdeI/BamHI to add a hexahistidine affinity tag (SEQ ID NO: 1) to the C-terminus. The construct was reverted back to its active, WT form by standard site-directly mutagenesis (Agilent). The E1191M/S1199Y mutations were introduced to produce the BoNT/B_(MY) double mutant. The constructs were transformed into E. coli (strain BL21 DE3), grown in mTB+100 μg/mL ampicillin, and induced with 1 mM IPTG at 16° C. for 20 h. The bacteria were harvested and lysed by ultrasonication in 5 mL of 0.5 M NaCl in 50 mM Tris pH 8 and 0.5 μL Benzonase, per gram of pellets. The crude lysate was clarified by centrifugation at 4000×g for 1 h and the BoNT/B was captured on a HisTrap HP column (GE) and eluted with 0.1 M imidazole in 0.5 M NaCl in 50 mM Tris pH 8 by FPLC (GE). The eluate was desalted into 125 mM NaCl in 50 mM Tris pH 8 using a HiPrep 26/10 desalting column (GE), and then concentrated to 0.6 mg/mL using a 10 kDa MWCO spin filter. The concentrate was treated with 0.1 μg/mL endoproteinase Lys-C for 2 h at 37° C. and then adjusted to 1 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ before final purification by hydrophobic interaction chromatography with phenyl Sepharose HP (GE). Proteins were eluted with a 1 M to 0 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ in 50 mM Tris pH 8 linear gradient. The fractions containing the di-chain BoNT/B were pooled, desalted, concentrated, and stored at −80° C.

BACTH (Bacterial Adenylate Cyclase Two-Hybrid Assay).

The BACTH assay was performed according to the manufacturer's instruction (Euromedex). Two compatible plasmids, pUT18C and pKT25 were selected for the screen. H-Syt II luminal domain (residues 1-80) was cloned into pKT25 to generate pKT25-h-Syt II. H_(C)B was cloned in pUT18C for producing T18-H_(C)B. H_(C)B mutant libraries were created with primers containing random nucleotide triplets (NNN) at designated positions. Each library was co-transformed with the pKT25-h-Syt II plasmid into E. coli indicator strain BTH101 by electroporation and screened on LB agar plates containing 100 μg/ml Ampicillin, 50 μg/ml Kanamycin, 0.5 mM IPTG, and 40 μg/ml X-Gal. The plates were incubated at 30° C. for 64 hours. Plasmids were extracted from blue colonies and sequenced. The total colony number determined the possibility of covering all 20 amino acids at the selected mutation site. This was calculated by Clark-Carbon equation: P=1−(1−f)^(N), where f reflects the number of possible residues (f= 1/20 here as there are 20 different amino acids), and N is the total number of colonies. With a minimal number of 380 colonies in our assays, the probability of covering all 20 amino acids at each position is >99.8%.

β-Galactosidase Activity Assay.

The assay was performed as previously described (47). Briefly, E. coli BTH101 cells with plasmids of interest were inoculated into LB medium containing antibiotics and IPTG (0.5 mM). The culture was grown overnight at 37° C. to reach the stationary phase. The OD₆₀₀ of the culture was recorded before harvesting. Culture was centrifuged, and cell pellets were washed twice with PBS and resuspended in Z buffer (60 mM Na₂HPO₄, 40 mM Na₂HPO₄, 10 mM KCl, 1 mM MgSO₄, and 20 mM DTT). Afterwards, 1:10 (v/v) chloroform and 1:20 (v/v) 0.1% SDS were added and mixed well to permeabilize the cells. The mixture was then mixed with o-nitrophenyl-p-galactoside (4 mg/ml in Z buffer) at 5:1 ratio, and incubated at 28° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction was stopped by adding 80 μl of 1 M Na₂CO₃. β-galactosidase activity was calculated as A₄₂₀/OD₆₀₀.

GST Pull-Down Assays.

Two types of pull-down assays were carried out. The first series were used to quickly screen binding of mutant H_(C)B to GST-tagged m-Syt II (residues 1-87) and a mutant m-Syt II (F54L) that mimicking human Syt II (designated as h-Syt II). Briefly, 6 ml of E. coli expressing H_(C)B were spin down, re-suspended in 800 μl TBS, sonicated, and then incubated with 2% Triton X-100 for 1 h at 4° C. Samples were then spun down for 15 min in a microcentrifuge at 4° C. The supernatants were collected and were used for pull-down assays by incubating with 10 μg of GST-Syt proteins immobilized on glutathione-Sepharose beads (GE bioscience, Piscataway, N.J.) at 4° C. for 1 h. Samples were washed three times in washing buffer (TBS with 0.5% Triton X-100), and analyzed by immunoblotting analysis using anti-HA antibody. For mutants that showed enhanced binding to h-Syt II, further characterization were carried out by purifying these H_(C)B mutants as His6-tagged proteins (“His6” disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 1). Pull-down assays were then carried out using purified H_(C)B (100 nM) and immobilized GST-Syt II in 100 μl TBS buffer plus 0.5% Triton X-100, with or without gangliosides (60 μg/ml), for 1 h at 4° C. Beads were washed three times using TBS buffer plus 0.5% Triton X-100. Ten percent of bound materials were subjected to SDS-PAGE followed immunoblot analysis.

Biolayer Interferometry Assay.

The binding affinities between H_(C)B variants and Syt I/Syt II were measured by BLI assay with the Blitz system (ForteBio). Briefly, the GST-tagged Syt I or Syt II (20 μg/ml) were immobilized onto Dip and Read™ Anti-GST Biosensors (ForteBio) and balanced with PBS buffer. The biosensors were then exposed to series concentrations of H_(C)B, followed by washing with PBS. Binding affinities (K_(D)) were calculated using the Blitz system software following manufacture's instruction (ForteBio).

Neuron Culture, Lentivirus, and Toxin Binding/Entry Assay.

Rat cortical neurons were prepared from E18-19 embryos as described previously (14). Constructs for Syt I KD, m-Syt II, and h-Syt II expression in neurons was previously described (18). Lentiviruses were added to neuron cultures at DIV5 (days in vitro), and toxin binding/entry experiments were carried out on DIV12-14. Toxins were diluted in high K⁺ buffer (87 mM NaCl, 56 mM KCl, 1.5 mM KH₂PO₄, 8 mM Na₂HPO₄, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, and 1 mM CaCl) and pre-warmed to 37° C. Neurons were exposed to above toxin-containing buffers for 5 minutes at 37° C. followed by washing with PBS. These neurons were either subjected to immunostaining analysis, or incubated in toxin-free medium for additional 24 hours, followed by immunoblotting analysis.

Mipsc Recording.

Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from DIV 14-18 cultured cortical neurons (DIV 14-18). The pipette solution contained (in mM): 135 CsCl, 10 HEPES, 1 EGTA, 1 Na-GTP, 4 Mg-ATP and 10 QX-314 (pH 7.4, adjusted with CsOH). The resistance of pipettes filled with intracellular solution varied between 4 and 5 M1. After formation of the whole-cell configuration and equilibration of the intracellular pipette solution, the series resistance was adjusted to 10 MΩ. Synaptic currents were monitored with an EPC-10/2 amplifier (HEKA) at −70 mV holding potential. The bath solution contained (in mM): 140 NaCl, 5 KCl, 2 CaCl, 1 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, 10 glucose (pH 7.4, adjusted with NaOH). Spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) and evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) were pharmacologically inhibited by adding AMPA and NMDA receptor blockers CNQX and APV to the extracellular bath solution. Spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were monitored in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) to block action potentials. Data were analyzed using Clampfit 10 (Molecular Devices), Origin8 software (Mocrocal Inc.), MiniAnalysis software (Synaptosoft), and Igor (Wavemetrics). Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t-test (*P<0.01). All data shown are means±S.E.M.s.

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TABLE 4 Interactions between GST-Syt II/Syt I and H_(C)B variants measured by BLI. Ligand H_(C)B k_(on) (1/Ms) k_(on) error k_(off) (1/s) k_(off) error K_(D) (μM) GST-m-Syt II WT 1.47 × 10⁴ 5.89 × 10² 1.98 × 10⁻³ 5.18 × 10⁻⁵ 0.13 GST-h-Syt II WT N/A N/A N/A N/A >20 E1191M 5.21 × 10³ 2.11 × 10² 3.51 × 10⁻² 4.62 × 10⁻⁴ 6.7 E1191M, S1199W 1.65 × 10⁴ 3.87 × 10² 1.81 × 10⁻² 1.79 × 10⁻⁴ 1.10 E1191M, S1199Y 1.56 × 10⁴ 3.72 × 10² 1.13 × 10⁻² 1.74 × 10⁻⁴ 0.72 E1191M, W1178Q 2.23 × 10⁴ 1.33 × 10³ 3.52 × 10⁻² 8.25 × 10⁻⁴ 1.58 E1191C, S1199W 1.32 × 10⁴ 4.70 × 10² 1.19 × 10⁻² 8.90 × 10⁻⁴ 0.90 E1191C, S1199Y 1.47 × 10⁴ 4.96 × 10² 1.44 × 10⁻² 1.91 × 10⁻⁴ 0.98 E1191C, W1178Q 6.89 × 10³ 5.18 × 10² 2.96 × 10⁻² 3.23 × 10⁻⁴ 4.30 E1191Q, S1199W 8.28 × 10³ 5.50 × 10² 2.21 × 10⁻² 3.34 × 10⁻⁴ 2.67 E1191Q, S1199Y 2.42 × 10⁴ 1.16 × 10³ 2.85 × 10⁻² 4.60 × 10⁻⁴ 1.18 E1191Q, W1178Q N/A N/A N/A N/A >20 E1191V, S1199W 1.86 × 10⁴ 6.49 × 10² 1.30 × 10⁻² 2.44 × 10⁻⁴ 0.70 E1191V, S1199Y 2.31 × 10⁴ 9.18 × 10² 1.35 × 10⁻² 2.68 × 10⁻⁴ 0.59 E1191V, W1178Q 6.08 × 10³ 4.64 × 10² 1.83 × 10⁻² 2.75 × 10⁻⁴ 3.01 E1191M, S1199W, 1.52 × 10⁴ 3.49 × 10² 1.72 × 10⁻² 1.71 × 10⁻⁴ 1.13 W1178Q GST-h-Syt I WT N/A N/A N/A N/A >20 E1191M, S1199Y 4.82 × 10³ 2.96 × 10² 1.40 × 10⁻² 4.55 × 10⁻⁴ 2.90 E1191V, S1199Y 2.71 × 10³ 9.11 × 10¹ 1.58 × 10⁻² 2.10 × 10⁻⁴ 5.82

TABLE 5 A list of 19 key residues in BoNT/B that form the binding pocket for Syt I/II, selected based on available co-crystal structure of BoNT/B in complex with Syt II (19, 20). Residue in BoNT/B Close to residue X in SytII 1113 57 1115 53 1116 53 and 57 1117 50, 53 and 54 1118 54 and 57 1178 50 1181 47 1183 54 and 55 1191 58 1192 57 1194 47, 50, 51, and 54 1196 47 and 50 1197 47 and 50 1199 47 1201 47 and 51 1203 51 and 55 1204 51, 54 and 55 1245 57 1256 57

TABLE 6 Summary of the number of colonies at each mutagenesis site from the BACTH screen. Residue position Number of Number of blue Percentage of in BoNT/B screened colonies colonies blue colonies 1113 935 0 0 1115 382 0 0 1116 >1000 0 0 1117 >1000 0 0 1118 >1000 0 0 1178 380 29 7.6 1181 440 0 0 1183 980 39 4.0 1191 874 198 22.7 1192 >1000 0 0 1194 620 0 0 1196 >1000 0 0 1197 >1000 0 0 1199 624 32 5.1 1201 634 0 0 1203 612 0 0 1204 764 0 0 1245 394 0 0 1256 488 0 0 

What is claimed is:
 1. A polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridium botulinum serotype B, strain 4 heavy chain (B4-H_(c)) that: is at least 95% identical to that of a reference B4-H_(c) of SEQ ID NO: 28, and contains a sequence modification relative to SEQ ID NO: 28, which sequence modification comprises substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P in SEQ ID NO: 28, wherein the modified receptor binding domain shows enhanced binding to human SytII relative to the reference B4-H_(c).
 2. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the sequence modification further comprises one or more substitution mutations, selected from the group consisting of: Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, Q1191M, Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, and combinations thereof.
 3. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the sequence modification further comprises two substitution mutations, selected from the group consisting of: Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, Q1191M, Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, and Y1183P.
 4. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the sequence modification further comprises two or more substitution mutations, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of: Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, and Q1191Y.
 5. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the sequence modification further comprises two or more substitution mutations, wherein one of the substitution mutations corresponds to Y1199W, Y1199E, Y1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, Y1199F, or Y1199L.
 6. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the sequence modification further comprises two substitution mutations, corresponding to: Q1191M and W1178Q, Q1191C and W1178Q, Q1191V and W1178Q, Q1191L and W1178Q, Q1191Y and W1178Q, Q1191M and Y1183P, Q1191M and Y1183C, Q1191C and Y1183P, Q1191C and Y1183C, Q1191V and Y1183P, Q1191V and Y1183C, Q1191L and Y1183P, Q1191L and Y1183C, Q1191Y and Y1183P, Q1191Y and Y1183C, W1178Q and Y1183P, and W1178Q and Y1183C.
 7. The polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the sequence modification further comprises three substitution mutations.
 8. The polypeptide of claim 7, wherein the three substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to Q1191, W1178 and Y1183.
 9. The polypeptide of claim 7, wherein the three substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M, W1178Q and Y1183P.
 10. A nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide of claim
 1. 11. A nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 10. 12. A cell comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 10. 13. A cell expressing the polypeptide of claim
 1. 14. A chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B, strain 4 heavy chain (B4-H_(c)) that: is at least 95% identical to that of a reference B4-H_(c) of SEQ ID NO: 28, and contains a sequence modification relative to SEQ ID NO: 28, which sequence modification comprises substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P in SEQ ID NO: 28, linked to a second portion.
 15. The chimeric molecule of claim 14, wherein the sequence modification further comprises one or more substitution mutations selected from the group consisting of: Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, and combinations thereof.
 16. The chimeric molecule of claim 14, wherein the sequence modification further comprises two substitution mutations selected from the group consisting of: Q1191M, Q1191C, Q1191V, Q1191L, Q1191Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C and Y1183P.
 17. The chimeric molecule of claim 14, wherein the sequence modification further comprises two substitution mutations corresponding to: Q1191M and W1178Q, Q1191C and W1178Q, Q1191V and W1178Q, Q1191L and W1178Q, Q1191Y and W1178Q, Q1191M and Y1183P, Q1191M and Y1183C, Q1191C and Y1183P, Q1191C and Y1183C, Q1191V and Y1183P, Q1191V and Y1183C, Q1191L and Y1183P, Q1191L and Y1183C, Q1191Y and Y1183P, Q1191Y and Y1183C, W1178Q and Y1183P, or W1178Q and Y1183C.
 18. The chimeric molecule of claim 14, wherein the sequence modification comprises three substitution mutations.
 19. The chimeric molecule of claim 18, wherein the three substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to Q1191, W1178 and Y1183.
 20. The chimeric molecule of claim 18, wherein the three substitution mutations correspond to Q1191M, W1178Q and Y1183P.
 21. The chimeric molecule of claim 14, wherein the first portion and the second portion are linked covalently.
 22. The chimeric molecule of claim 14, wherein the first portion and the second portion are linked non-covalently.
 23. The chimeric molecule of claim 14, wherein the second portion is selected from the group consisting of: a small molecule, a nucleic acid, a short polypeptide, and a protein.
 24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: a botulinum neurotoxin polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B, strain 4 heavy chain (B4-H_(c)) that: is at least 95% identical to that of a reference B4-H_(c) of SEQ ID NO: 28, and contains a sequence modification relative to SEQ ID NO: 28, which sequence modification comprises substitution mutations V1113K, S1117P, S1196A, and I1197P in SEQ ID NO: 28, wherein the modified receptor binding domain shows enhanced binding to human SytII relative to the reference B4-H_(c); and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 25. A kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition of claim 24, packaged into a formed container.
 26. A method for treating a condition associated with unwanted neuronal activity comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of: spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, laryngeal dystonia, oromandibular dysphonia, lingual dystonia, cervical dystonia, focal hand dystonia, blepharospasm, strabismus, hemifacial spasm, eyelid disorder, cerebral palsy, focal spasticity and other voice disorders, spasmodic colitis, neurogenic bladder, anismus, limb spasticity, tics, tremors, bruxism, anal fissure, achalasia, dysphagia and other muscle tone disorders and other disorders characterized by involuntary movements of muscle groups, lacrimation, hyperhydrosis, excessive salivation, excessive gastrointestinal secretions, secretory disorders, pain from muscle spasms, headache pain, migraine, and dermatological or aesthetic/cosmetic conditions. 